Buick back with a bang as Blue Point books Champions Day spot

William Buick is looking forward to the key autumn races with relish having returned from a serious injury in style as Blue Point booked his spot on Qipco Champions Day with victory in the Group 3 John Guest Bengough Stakes at Ascot on Saturday.

The Godolphin rider had been sidelined with a fractured T12 vertebra, suffered on the ill-fated Permian at Arlington on August 12, but was back with a bang on the on the speedy son of Shamardal.

“I feel good,” said the jockey after a half-length verdict over Projection. “I had a very good physio on the case from day one. He gave me a lot of confidence and I never really stopped – I managed to stay mobile the whole time.

"I slowly built up the training before getting back on a horse. It’s been a long eight weeks but you’ve got to respect what happened. There’s plenty of the season left and I’m lucky to have a lot of nice horses to ride.”

Blue Point proved the perfect comeback ride, with the even-money favourite taking Buick straight to the front and, despite wandering when out on his own in the final furlong, he was always holding the second.

Blue Point comfortably holds off Projection to win the John Guest Bengough StakesCredit: Alan Crowhurst

Buick added: “I suppose it was a steering job today but we were concerned about the ground and rightly so; he’s a fast-ground horse. His quality and determination got him through.

"He was on his own for a long way and there’s quite a headwind, so I’d be very happy with that. He’s very quick and would not look out of place dropping back to five.”

Blue Point was cut to between 9-1 and 14-1 for the Qipco British Champions Sprint Stakes back at Ascot on October 21, in a market headed by Harry Angel at best-price 13-8 with Betfair.

Buick said: “I’d presume he’d go to Champions Day now and I think the plan is for him to stay in training, which is nice. Harry Angel is exceptional but Blue Point is maturing the whole time and I don’t think we’ve seen the best of him yet. Hopefully the ground stays similar to today.”

Buick is likely to partner Wuheida in the Grade 1 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup at Kentucky on Saturday.

The Charlie Appleby-trained filly finished a close fourth behind Rhododendron in the Prix de l'Opera at Chantilly at the start of the month.

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