Inspiral looks increasingly likely to avoid the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot on Tuesday in favor of a tilt at the Prince of Wales’s Stakes the following afternoon.
Cheveley Park Stud’s Frankel mare has won six times at Group 1 level for John and Thady Gosden, including a sensational victory in the 2022 Coronation Stakes at the Royal meeting, when she was only beaten a neck by shock winner Triple Time in 12 months Queen Anne. There is.
The five-year-old finished fourth behind stablemate and fellow Cheveley Park-owned runner Audience in the Lockinge at Newbury on her seasonal debut last month, and connections are now trending at a mile and a quarter .
Inspiral has already proven himself over the longer journey, winning the Breeders’ Cup Filly And Mare Turf at Santa Anita in November under the guidance of an inspired Frankie Dettori.
Cheveley Park general manager Chris Richardson said: “It’s obviously been seriously looked at and following her success at Santa Anita over a mile and a quarter, where she was very effective, I think it makes sense to to strenghten.
“The Lockinge was a good starting point, but he got away slowly, which can happen on occasion, and if he is a little late next time, at least a mile and a quarter, it will be, hopefully less important.”
Their star mare’s move to the second day’s main event will allow Cheveley Park to share her aces, with Audience lining up as the top string of prominent owners in the Queen Anne.
Richardson added: “I think he has the ability and I think he still remains a progressive horse.
“I hope he dispels any notion that his victory at Lockinge was a bit of a fluke.”
