'It couldn't have gone better' - Pyledriver on course for glitzy winter targets
Top middle-distance performer Pyledriver was reported to be in "fantastic shape" on Sunday morning after his comeback win in the Churchill Stakes at Lingfield on Saturday and is firmly on course for a first trip overseas to Hong Kong next month.
The four-year-old, who is a 3-1 chance with William Hill for the Group 1 Longines Hong Kong Vase on December 12, received a warm public ovation after overcoming Harrovian and Felix in the Listed contest on his first outing since winning the Group 1 Coronation Cup at Epsom in June.
William Muir, who co-trains Pyledriver with Chris Grassick, said: "It couldn't have gone any better at Lingfield. Pyledriver was bucking and kicking after the race and he's in fantastic shape this morning.
'Whoosh he was gone' – Pyledriver warms up for Hong Kong in style
"Only once or twice have I had such a horse to walk back in with after a race, but on Saturday people were lined up along the avenue back in clapping him. It was amazing."
Saturday's outing was the start of plan B for Pyledriver, who was forced to miss two Group 1 outings in the summer due to injury.
Muir said: "He originally pulled a muscle up high in July and it bled into the groin and when you put your hand up you could feel the trickle of blood.
"He was lame when it first happened but he was very quickly sound within days. That ruled us out of the King George, so we thought we'd go to the Juddmonte.
"After that we started cantering him again and when it was time to gallop I got my vet in to check him over.
"He could still feel some blood and advised me not to gallop him. Not being able to gallop him the week before the Juddmonte meant we had to give that a miss as well.
"We decided then to give him a break and bring him back for a winter campaign and everything has been fine.
"He wasn't fit on Saturday as I hadn't done a lot with him, but I knew he'd run well as he's so competitive. Martin was not over hard on him to win and he kept him going right around the bend to make it into a mile and a half race, if you like."
Pyledriver, who won two Group 2s and finished third in the St Leger as a three-year-old last year, is set for a busy winter.
Muir added: "We got an invitation for the Hong Kong Vase a while ago and the plan is to go to there and after that I think they want us to go to the Saudi Cup.
"We'll look at that and beyond that there is the Group 1 Dubai Sheema Classic at Meydan."
Read these next:
'Martin's not been as excited since Cup win' – Pyledriver camp gear up Vase tilt
Donnacha O'Brien-trained Derby hope sold to race in Hong Kong
The Front Runner is our latest email newsletter available exclusively to Members' Club Ultimate subscribers. Chris Cook, a three-time Racing Reporter of the Year award winner, provides his take on the day's biggest stories and tips for the upcoming racing every morning from Monday to Friday
Published on 15 November 2021inNews
Last updated 08:25, 15 November 2021
- The latest edition of the Racing Post is available to read online now - here's how you can access it
- How Smart View recorded a 76 per cent profit at the Cheltenham Festival
- Smart View is available on the Racing Post app - how to read the revolutionary new racecard
- Levy reform talks 'accelerating' as clock ticks down to April deadline for agreement
- Kieran Shoemark lands another plum Meydan ride for Gosden stable on Trawlerman in Saturday's Dubai Gold Cup
- The latest edition of the Racing Post is available to read online now - here's how you can access it
- How Smart View recorded a 76 per cent profit at the Cheltenham Festival
- Smart View is available on the Racing Post app - how to read the revolutionary new racecard
- Levy reform talks 'accelerating' as clock ticks down to April deadline for agreement
- Kieran Shoemark lands another plum Meydan ride for Gosden stable on Trawlerman in Saturday's Dubai Gold Cup