Improving stayer Many Men could be tested at Listed level in Ascot’s BetMGM Noel Murless Stakes after his agonising reversal in the Melrose Stakes at York.
Jim Boyle’s three-year-old was sent off the 9-2 favourite on the Knavesmire as he sought to back up a win over two miles at Ascot last month, but had to give way to Andrew Balding’s St Leger contender Tarriance after a titanic tussle in the closing stages, with only a nose separating the pair.
After the initial frustration of defeat, Boyle is content the performance in Yorkshire proves he has a progressive performer on his hands and although holding an entry in the Cesarewitch, the Epsom handler is keen to move up in grade at Ascot on October 3 before possible overseas options come under consideration.
Boyle told attheraces.com: “He’s definitely a horse for the future, there are a few handicap options for him, but I think the Noel Murless at Ascot in early October is likely to be the route we will head down.
“After the Melrose there was that raw sense of disappointment when he was done on the line, but looking back we’re very proud of him and very pleased with the run and it showed he’s still very much on the upgrade which we hoped.
“We’ll take a look at the Noel Murless and after that we’ll just have to see how the land lies in terms of any foreign escapades over the winter as they would also be on the radar, albeit I’m mindful he’s run quite a few races and always puts a lot in.”
He added: “It’s those Pattern horses that we all really want and it’s nice to have discovered one and we will see where the journey takes us.”
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