Borderlescott (2): Had problems since winning at Goodwood (pictured)

  PICTURE: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)  

Borderlescott 'back to best' believes Bastiman

TRAINER Robin Bastiman believes he has stable star Borderlescott back to his very best after blood tests showed the horse to be in rude health.

The eight-year-old returned lame from his victory in the Audi King George Stakes at Goodwood and was initially ruled out for the season but made a miraculous recovery to run in the Nunthorpe, in which he finished sixth. However, Bastiman said the disrupted build-up was less than ideal and expects hischarge to give a better account of himself in the Betfred Sprint Cup at Haydock.

Bastiman, who was a guest on Channel 4's The Morning Line, said: "His blood is better now. His iron was slightly down before York but that didn't bother me too much and I was under a little pressure to run him as a two-time winner.

"His tests this time were spot-on and he's as right as I've ever had him.

"He's definitely drawn in the right place, I just wish it was over five [furlongs] today. He's a versatile horse and he's won over six but I wish it was over five today.

"In the Nunthorpe there was no gear change from him, whether there is an underlying problem I don't know but we'll see today.

"Hopefully he will show us today that he is well and everything is right - it is only under the pressure of a race you see these things, it wouldn't show on the gallops - and then we can think about the Prix de l'Abbaye, which will be his final target."