The Ridler owner 'living the dream' as connections eye Perfect Power route

Steve Bradley says he is "living the dream" with star juvenile The Ridler, who is set to run for the first time since his controversial Norfolk Stakes win in the Group 1 Prix Morny next week.

The flashy two-year-old is set to take a similar route to his stablemate and last year's top two-year-old Perfect Power this season, and could make into a 2,000 Guineas prospect next year.

Bradley said: "We're going to Deauville instead of York for the Gimcrack as it saves him carrying a penalty, and we've entered him in the Middle Park too.

"The Ridler is a big, physical beast and he's had time off – Richard [Fahey] would say he's been on the beach – to give him a chance to develop. My take on it is if a horse is racing he's not growing and it's about nurturing him.

"In time, he'll probably stay a mile. Although he's by a six-and-a-half-furlong horse in Brazen Beau, his progeny are getting a mile in Australia and the mare is by Lope De Vega.

"He does bits of work with Perfect Power, who I know disappointed in the Maurice de Gheest, but that's where Richard views him alongside Clearpoint. He's a good work horse."

The Ridler and Paul Hanagan win the Norfolk Stakes from Walbank (near) and Crispy Cat (far side)Credit: Ryan Pierse (Getty Images)

The last colt to win the 2,000 Guineas after success in the Norfolk was Pall Mall in 1958, but the season's first Classic could be a future target.

Bradley added: "We're living the dream and if he comes out of the Middle Park okay we could think about the Guineas next year. It's surreal; we had Dylan De Vega who was rated 95 but this boy is something else."

The Ridler survived a stewards' inquiry at Royal Ascot after causing interference in the final furlong, with jockey Paul Hanagan banned for ten days for careless riding, much to the disappointment of Kia Joorabchian, who owned the second and third.

By the time the colt lines up for the Morny, connections will know whether he has kept the Norfolk as the appeal against the decision finally comes before the independent disciplinary panel of the BHA.

Bradley is confident his horse was a deserving winner and said: "If a horse wins by a short head then it puts the stewards in a difficult position, but he won by a length and three-quarters and Paul Hanagan was easing him down late on.

"There was a degree of interference but I thought he won easily and the stewards made the right decision."

The Ridler could face another top-class British hope at Deauville, with the Royal Scotsman team contemplating their options.

Royal Scotsman: could take on The Ridler in the Prix MornyCredit: Edward Whitaker

The Coventry Stakes third justified cramped odds in the Richmond Stakes at Glorious Goodwood, where he broke the juvenile course record for six furlongs.

Joint-trainer Oliver Cole said: "We'll discuss with his owners where to go next. He's come out of the race really well and he's very straightforward. The lad that rides him is pretty experienced and he thinks he's improved.

"He's a really exciting horse to have at home. He's very fast and he's not a small two-year-old type. With his physique he's a really impressive horse."

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