Key insight as Mishriff 'moves through the gears' ahead of Sandown return

Magic Mishriff

John and Thady Gosden were granted special permission to work their three-time Group 1 winner Mishriff on the July course just after 7am on Saturday, where the Coral-Eclipse candidate stepped up his preparation for Sandown under Robert Havlin. Covering a mile with a lead horse and the filly Free Wind (Martin Harley), the five-year-old moved through the gears in the last quarter of a mile in a much-needed workout on turf, and will bid to better last year’s third-place finish in the Eclipse on July 2.

Mishriff and Rab Havlin at the July course

Haggas takes advantage

As the Al Bahathri Polytrack is currently closed for refurbishment, there are a lack of facilities for trainers to use with the ongoing dry spell having left grass venues unusable bar the watered gallop. The Jockey Club helped out by opening the latter facility on Thursday, a day when it is usually closed, with William Haggas taking advantage. A day later, he was back with the likes of Aldaary, who must have ease in the ground, and the four-year-old enjoyed himself upsides decent handicapper Irish Admiral.

De Foy on the up

Kevin Philippart de Foy has recently taken on the King’s Yard at Egerton House, formerly the domain of David Elsworth, as a second yard to run in tandem with his main stable at Machell Place. The Belgian has a further 42 boxes at his disposal and finds it easy to access the watered gallop, where he had Tuddenham Mill (Daniel Muscutt) upsides the speedy Stunt Game over five furlongs.