Coral-Eclipse among options for Waldkonig after victorious return in Gordon Richards

Lightly-raced Waldkonig took his form to another level when taking the Group Three bet365 Gordon Richards Stakes in stylish fashion under Frankie Dettori.

Trained by John and Thady Gosden, Waldkonig could now be aimed at the Group Two Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Travelling comfortably throughout in the 10 furlong contest, the four year old Kingman colt tracked the leader Extra Elusive before taking the lead entering the final quarter mile.

He ran on well to see off the challenge from Desert Encounter inside the final furlong by a length and a quarter with Extra Elusive another two and a half lengths away in third.

Returned the 6-4 favourite, today’s race was only the fifth start of Waldkonig’s career. Winner of his sole two year old outing, he was third behind stablemate and subsequent French Derby and Saudi Cup winner Mishriff in a Listed contest at Newmarket before going down at 4-9 in a novice contest at Haydock Park on his two outings in 2020.

He began this season with a facile victory in a 10-furlong Pontefract handicap on April 6th and John Gosden said: “He won well at Wolverhampton as a young horse, then in a delayed start to last season he ran third behind Mishriff.

“People were disappointed but I don’t think that was a bad run as that horse won the Prix du Jockey Club after that. He then went to Haydock and he was beaten there but he came back and had a discharge and it turned out it he had a horribly infected tooth and a blocked sinus.

“He was very ill and luckily he came back and we got him to where we want him but the autumn had gone and the racing had gone so he has had a long period off.

“He has benefitted from that. He has strengthened up and done well. I couldn’t be more pleased with him. He went to Pontefract and won well on fast ground and he has won here on well watered ground. He is a versatile horse over a mile and a quarter and a mile and a half. The fact he missed most of last year might have benefited him.

“The options will be over a mile and a quarter and a mile and a half, including the big one here in July (Eclipse).

“Frankie said he thinks he’ll get further, while his breeder told me right from the start he would be a better horse at four or five.”

“We could look at the Hardwicke at Royal Ascot with something else in between as well, maybe back here with a penalty for the Brigadier Gerard (Thursday 27th April).”

Jockey Frankie Dettori added: “We always thought he was going to be our Derby horse last year but he grew and got weak. John was brilliant to give him time to develop.

“It was the first time I have ridden him since last year. The horse has physically come on a lot. He gave me a real good feel and is a good horse in the making. His pedigree suggests a mile and a half is not beyond his reach. He is very easy to handle. We have the options. He has got fresh legs and I’m sure he will improve again.”

David Simcock, trainer of the second, Desert Encounter, said: “I was delighted and I can’t believe he won’t come on for it, but he doesn’t lay down and he’s so consistent. Hopefully we’ll find a suitable race for him in May now.”

Roger Charlton, trainer of the third placed Extra Elusive, said: “I was pleased with that. It’s tough in Saudi and you never know how they are until you try but I thought he ran a good race.

“He kept on which was encouraging and he didn’t give up when he was challenged. Frankie came up to him very easily and it was quite tight (on the rail) but he kept on and I was pleased.

“I think we have to be bold with him, he’s a home-bred and the owner (Imad Alsagar) has the stallion (Mastercraftsman) and if we can get placed in a better race, we will try and do that.”

Jockey Hollie Doyle added: “It was a good run and I’m just really happy to see that he’s come out of his run in Saudi OK because all that travelling can make or break a horse.

“That was his first time away, so I think he’s run a huge race considering he’s a five year old and that he’s taking on some younger legs. I think he’s a better horse this year - he’s shown that he’s becoming more versatile mentally and a bit more manageable so I’m really pleased with him.”