From 71 to a Group 1: Nicholls plotting audacious Abbaye bid with big improver

The remarkable rise of Tees Spirit has left connections considering a bold bid for Group 1 success in the Prix de l'Abbaye.

Having joined Adrian Nicholls as a three-year-old rated just 65, Tees Spirit made steady progress last season before taking off this term, rising from a mark of 71 in April to 104 following his Listed victory at Tipperary last week.

It was his fifth win in seven starts and has prompted Nicholls to look to the 5f Group 1 on Arc day, a race he also targeted last year with another major improver in Mo Celita, who rose from a rating of 62 last April to finish fourth at Longchamp.

Nicholls said: "I'd love to say I always knew he'd been this good. The truth is I always thought he was a nice horse but never in my wildest dreams did I think he'd be a 104-rated horse. He's done exceptionally well all year, he's done nothing but improve.

"It [the Abbaye] will probably be his last run of the year. It's not set in stone that he'll go but I feel he runs well fresh which I think could suit him. It's definitely on the radar.

"The ground is a bit of an unknown – everyone's been waiting on rain but I suppose like Mr Haggas [trainer of Arc possible Baaeed] I don't want it too soft. But it will be what it will be and he's won with cut in the ground before, albeit at a much lower level. The Abbaye is a very open race and you need a good draw."

The four-year-old started in Class 5 company this season but won the Epsom Dash in June and scraped home by nose in the Listed Abergwaun Stakes at Tipperary.

Nicholls said: "You've got to be a good horse to win a Dash. He’s had luck on his side, as he won by only a head.

"At Tipperary I also felt we were quite fortunate – the race could have gone one of three ways. Luckily for me, Barry [McHugh] and the owners it was ours that came out on top. The time he set was impressive. Times don't lie and it was very quick."

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