Marco Botti believes new recruit Al Shabab Storm has the right kind of profile to shine on his all-weather debut in the Listed BetMGM Lady Wulfruna Stakes at Wolverhampton.
The four-year-old gelding enjoyed a fruitful couple of seasons with Andrew Balding, scoring at Goodwood as a juvenile before claiming a trio of victories last term.
His two Chester triumphs included a strike at this level and there was a Group Three win at Baden-Baden in Germany before he signed off by struggling in Doncaster’s Park Stakes.
Having changed hands for 42,000 guineas, Botti said: “Al Shabab Storm had a nice break after he joined us towards the end of last year. He looks great and we have had this race in mind for him for a while.
“The track should be no problem as he showed good form around Chester last year, including winning a Listed race, and he has been training nicely on the all-weather.
“Having said that, he is quite a chunky horse and I would imagine he will improve for the run, but this looks a good starting point for the season ahead.
“After this, there is a Listed race at Doncaster over six furlongs. We have also considered Dubai but whether he gets invited, we will have to see. We will know more after Saturday.”
Roger Varian will be hoping Jabaara has retained the ability she showed last summer prior to having her campaign cut short at the end of July. The Sheikh Ahmed Al Maktoum-owned filly secured Listed wins at Musselburgh and Carlisle before chasing home Porta Fortuna in the Group One Falmouth at Newmarket and then finishing first past the post in the Oak Tree Stakes at Goodwood, only to be demoted to second due to interference.
Fair Angellica, who has won all three previous all-weather starts, is another to have proven herself at this level, having landed the Prix Amandine at Deauville last July for Richard Hughes, while former Group Two scorer and Lockinge third Witch Hunter should benefit from a recent run at Lingfield. In the BetMGM Lincoln Trial Handicap, Paul and Oliver Cole’s Great Chieftain will look to pick up where he left off last term, when closing with a Goodwood and Newmarket double.
Oliver Cole said: “Great Chieftain is in good order and we are hoping he won’t need the run as we think he is pretty straight, although you never quite know for a first run of the year.
“He ended last season with wins at Goodwood and Newmarket, and I think he has improved again through the winter.
“All those nice handicaps will be open to him and, if he was to win here, it would give him a chance of getting in the Lincoln.”
Top-weight Kingdom Come and Irish raider Final Voyage were first and second in this contest 12 months ago, while recent Southwell scorer Symbol Of Light and last year’s Feilden Stakes runner-up Whip Cracker are others towards the head of the betting.
Leave a Reply