Aidan O'Brien's Bolshoi Ballet bids to bounce back before trip to Hong Kong

Saturday: Lingfield

Aidan O'Brien has a rare runner on Lingfield's all-weather track with Bolshoi Ballet, although he faces a battle for favouritism in the Listed Bet UK Churchill Stakes (3.10) with the progressive Missed The Cut.

Bolshoi Ballet was touted so highly by O'Brien he was his only runner in last year's Derby, but he failed to deliver on market expectations, finishing seventh after being sent off an 11-8 favourite at Epsom.

The four-year-old was then largely campaigned in the US, winning a Belmont Grade 1 in July 2021, but has not been seen since finishing ninth in the Group 1 Hong Kong Cup at Sha Tin in December.

"We haven't managed to get a run into him all year," said O'Brien, who has three wins from 11 runners on the all-weather at Lingfield.

"He met with a setback in the middle of the season, which knocked us back. He's running with a view to going to Hong Kong. This will tell us where we stand. He seems well but hasn't run in a long time."

Missed The Cut heads the opposition after a hat-trick on the turf this summer, including an easy success in the Golden Gates Handicap at Royal Ascot this June. He ran in the Group 2 Prix Guillaume d'Ornano in August, but failed to justify favouritism when coming home in fifth.

That was still a fair performance as the winner, Al Hakeem, went on to finish fourth in the Group 1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, while runner-up Junko finished second in the Group 2 Prix Dollar next time.

"Missed The Cut has done well since France," said trainer George Boughey. "He's been to Lingfield recently and worked well under Ryan Moore. If he can overcome his wide draw [in stall ten] I'd expect him to be very competitive."

Simon and Ed Crisford will be represented by Algiers. Simon Crisford said: "He was a bit disappointing at Newmarket last time but that may not have played to his strengths. He won well at York before that and if he returns to that form he could have a chance in a strong race. He has a winter campaign in Dubai on his agenda after this."

Earlier on the card, Judicial is set to line up in the Listed Bet UK Golden Rose Stakes (2.35) for the fourth consecutive year. The ten-year-old won the race in 2019 and finished second last year. He was last seen winning at Beverley in September for Julie Camacho.

"It's a qualifier for All-Weather Championships finals day and unlike other years, he has a decent draw in stall three," said the trainer.

"Usually, he's out wide and has to come around. He's shown no signs of falling out of love with the game approaching his 11th birthday. When he does, he'll be retired at the top, not going down the ranks."

The early market is headed by Summerghand, who won the Ayr Gold Cup and a heritage handicap at York and is just 4lb shy of his best ever rating after finishing second in an Ascot Group 3 in October.

Philip Robinson, racing manager to owner Hamad Rashed Bin Ghadayer, said: "Summerghand has a great chance. He's won on the all-weather four times and his trainer David O'Meara believes he's in top form. He has a great draw in stall five so there's plenty to like."

Saturday previews:

1.45 Cheltenham: Can Pentland Hills buck the trends to win on Cheltenham chase bow?

2.20 Cheltenham: 'He has the right profile for this' - top trainers on the Paddy Power Gold Cup

2.55 Cheltenham: Why this intriguing jockey booking could be key to Lisnagar Oscar bouncing back

3.30 Cheltenham: 'He might lack experience but he's got the ability' - will a future star emerge?

Naas: 'The Tingle Creek is the plan' - can Gentleman De Mee make a winning return?

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