Big Evs, Big Mojo and Shareholder put through their paces at Southwell in preparation for Breeders' Cup bid

Big Evs pleased Mick Appleby with a workout at Southwell on Thursday morning ahead of his bid to repeat last year's success at the Breeders' Cup.

He was joined at the track by younger stablemate Big Mojo, who is also heading to Del Mar for the lucrative meeting next month after pleasing in a separate gallop.

Three weeks after Derby winner City Of Troy worked in front of hundreds of spectators here in readiness for the Breeders' Cup Classic, Big Evs was watched by just a handful of people as he galloped on a cold, clear morning.

After he had come clear of stablemate Blind Beggar under Tom Marquand, his trainer said: "He worked really well. Tom said he's getting a bit lazy, he knows he's good so he just does as much as he wants to do. But he needed that because we'd freshened him up since his last run."

Big Evs was Appleby's first runner at the meeting when he won the 5f Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint at Santa Anita last year and is a 10-1 chance with Paddy Power for his return to California in the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint over the same trip on November 2.

He finished a close third in the King's Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot and landed the King George Stakes at Goodwood later this summer but could manage only eighth in the Nunthorpe Stakes at York on his latest appearance.

"The ground, the draw and everything went against him and you can put line through it," Appleby said. 

"He's proved he's trained on, he's still as good as he was, probably better. It will be nice to go back to America and it would be great if he comes out and wins.

"I'm not under any illusions, it's not going to be easy. As long as he runs his race and he's thereabouts we'll be happy. If he doesn't win he doesn't — but he's going there with every chance."

Marquand added: "By the sound of it he had a bit of a freshen up after his last run at York and he feels very well for it. It's all systems go for America now."

Big Mojo is being aimed at the Juvenile Turf Sprint on November 1, having emulated Big Evs by landing the Molecomb Stakes at Goodwood in July.

He was beaten a neck in the Flying Childers Stakes at Doncaster by Aesterius, and that pair are 5-1 joint-favourites for their Del Mar rematch with Paddy Power.

Big Mojo came clear of stablemate Lipsink in his workout and Appleby said: "He went round the bend really well, that was the main thing with him, to get him going round a bend at speed. He did it well, he changed his legs and got onto the right lead. It was really good.

"He's got a lot of natural speed. I'd imagine he'll probably be a six-furlong horse next year but this race should be fine for him. He'll be going out there with a live chance."

Marquand added: "He went round like a motorbike. It will be very different in America but he's had that experience now and he felt good for it."

Another intended rival appeared shortly afterwards when the Karl Burke-trained Shareholder had his own separate workout with two stablemates.

He earned a guaranteed spot in the Juvenile Turf Sprint when landing the "Win And You're In" Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot for Wathnan Racing but finished last of nine in the 6f Prix Morny at Deauville and has not raced since.

Jockey James Doyle said: "I was very pleased with him, it was a nice exercise for him to do. It was his first gallop round a turn and he handled it well. He's in good order."

The owners' retained rider will have to choose between Shareholder and Aesterius in the Breeders' Cup and he said: "It's not an easy decision but a nice one to have to make. I'll leave it as late as possible.

"They're in good shape and they've had gallops round a bend – Aesterius went to Kempton. I couldn't be happier with them."

Breeders Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint (Del Mar, November 1)

Paddy Power: 5 Aesterius, Big Mojo, 7 Babouche, 8 Whistlejacket, 9 Shareholder, 10 Gabaldon, 12 Under Whos Radar, 14 Dreamaway, Leovanni, Symbol Of Strength, 16 bar

Breeders Cup Turf Sprint (Del Mar, November 2)

Paddy Power: 2 Cogburn, 3 Bradsell, 7 Believing, 10 Big Evs, Motorious, 12 Inisherin, 14 Arzak, Star Of Mystery, 16 Elite Status, Starlust, 20 bar

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