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Simcock retains faith in French Guineas victor Teppal after Royal Ascot defeat

Teppal: entered in October's Kingdom of Bahrain Sun Chariot Stakes
Teppal: entered in October's Kingdom of Bahrain Sun Chariot StakesCredit: Edward Whitaker

Trainer David Simcock is confident Classic-winning filly Teppal can bounce back from her disappointing Royal Ascot effort after recovering from sickness.

The three-year-old gave her trainer a first Classic victory in the Poule d'Essai des Pouliches in May, but could only finish ninth behind the brilliant Alpha Centuari in the Coronation Stakes.

Simcock, whose stable stalwart Lightning Spear landed the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood last week, said: "She came back from Royal Ascot with very bad blood and she was sick for quite a while.

"She looked very light and she was visibly under the weather for the next two weeks, so we’ve lost between a month and six weeks training with her. She's only cantering but seems in good order and I'm very happy with her.

"I'm pleased that something came to light after Ascot as, if she'd run a good second to Alpha Centauri that would have been acceptable, but to run as badly as she did was seriously disappointing."

The daughter of Camacho was one of ten Group 1 entries unveiled for Newmarket's Kingdom of Bahrain Sun Chariot Stakes at on October 6.

He added: "Teppal will have a number of entries in the autumn but the Sun Chariot Stakes definitely comes into the equation for her.

"She's a big, raw filly with plenty of speed and, with only four races under her belt, I'd like to think she is still open to improvement."

Aidan O'Brien has won the previous two instalments, with Alice Springs and Roly Poly, and Ballydoyle are responsible for seven of this year's 41 entries.

These include Lockinge heroine Rhododendron, Hydrangea, Happily, Magical, Clemmie, I Can Fly and Athena, who is due to run in the Grade One Beverley D Stakes at Arlington on Saturday.

Alpha Centauri, set to compete at Deauville this Sunday, is also entered for the Sun Chariot, alongside fellow Royal Ascot winners Agrotera and Aljazzi, and 1,000 Guineas champion Billesdon Brook.

Five of the last nine winners were trained in France, headed by With You, who is due to take on Alpha Centauri this weekend.

The other five French-trained entries include Rosa Imperial, Mission Impassible, Frankel Light and Homerique.


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West Country correspondent

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