Marco Botti is ready to raise Prince Of India back up in trip following his July Cup sixth. The Wootton Bassett colt caught the eye at Newmarket, staying on strongly before having momentum checked late on.
He began life in handicaps off a mark of 76 last season, before finishing the year 28lbs higher. Two of his victories came in valuable handicaps, before finishing third in listed company at York. Though he remains a maiden this campaign, his latest run was a career best RPR.
Marco Botti told At The Races: “It was a big run in the July Cup and he was perhaps a touch
unlucky. Pat Dobbs said after the race he didn’t have the gap when he needed it. He was close enough and not beaten far.
“I thought he ran better than the result would suggest. He was an outsider but we always thought he wouldn’t be far off that level. He’s gone up to 111 after that race and he’s a nice horse who wants fast ground. He likes a straight course.”
‘We know he stays the extra furlong anyway” – Marco Botti
With form figures of 1215 over the trip since his three year old season, he’s evidently got the stamina for seven furlongs.
Botti added: “We’ll go for the Hungerford Stakes now and he needs to go up to seven furlongs. But it’s an easier seven at Newbury than it would be at Newmarket. We know he stays the extra furlong anyway.
“He did win over seven furlongs as a three-year-old. But has since shown his best form over a stiff six furlongs at places like Ascot and the July course. However, I don’t think seven furlongs will be an issue.”
26 have been entered for the Hungerford Stakes that takes place on Saturday week. William Haggas has won the race three times in the last five years, including with More Thunder last season. Haggas has entered Lake Forest, Extremely Zain, and Saber Strike this year. Lake Forest was a neck winner of the Lennox Stakes, before suffering for room a day later in the Sussex.
Extremely Zain was a touch disappointing in the Moet & Chandon International Handicap, having gone into the race unbeaten in three starts. Saber Strike has also been disappointing this season having been unbeaten in his first two starts.
Prince Of India also holds an entry over seven furlongs in the Park Stakes, along with a six furlong entry on Champions Day.