Chilean out to build on French Group success for Meade

bet365 Classic Trial |Group 3| 3yo | 1m2f | ITV4/RUK

While several of his opponents will be making their seasonal debut, Chilean comes here off the back of a fine Group 3 success at Longchamp, providing a first win for trainer Martyn Meade since moving to Manton last month.

Chilean earned a place in the Racing Post Trophy line-up last backend and, although he performed below expectations at Doncaster, his defeat of the well-regarded Study Of Man on heavy ground in the Prix La Force pinpointed him as a three-year-old with plenty of potential.

Chilean and Oisin Murphy forge clear in the Prix La ForceCredit: Edward Whitaker

O'Brien and Gosden take aim

It would be stretching a point to say John Gosden has farmed this race but a record eight wins since Pollen Count scored under Steve Cauthen in 1992 means his representative, Sevenna Star, demands plenty of respect.

From a stamina-packed Gestut Ammerland family, the son of Redoute's Choice got off the mark at the third time of asking at Windsor this month.

Jockey Frankie Dettori said: "He looks to be a progressive horse who won well at Windsor for Rab [Havlin] and should handle the ground. I sat on him the other day and he seems in good shape."

Aidan O'Brien has been a far less frequent patron of this race but scored in 2012 with Imperial Monarch, while both Eye Of The Storm and Cape Clear Island have gone close since.

O'Brien sends Hunting Horn who, in a similar vein to Sevenna Star, was beaten twice as a juvenile before winning a Naas maiden a fortnight ago.

Wafy bred for the job

Wafy, a son of the brilliant Ghanaati, defends family honour in the bet365 Classic TrialCredit: Edward Whitaker

It is no guarantee for success but being by a champion miler in Dubawi out of 1,000 Guineas heroine Ghanaati has certainly given Wafy at least one headstart in life.

His only win last season came over seven furlongs at Sandown while trainer Charlie Hills believes there were excuses when Wafy finished down the field in a Group 3 over a mile on his final start.

"He won at Sandown last year before finishing seventh in the Autumn Stakes but the ground was very quick that day and he didn't seem to handle Newmarket, never getting on an even keel," said Hills. "He's had a good winter and went to Lingfield recently where he did a nice piece of work."

What they say

David Simcock, trainer of Come On Tier
He’s a nice horse in his own right but we’re slightly in the dark as to what class he is. We’ll find out plenty here and, as long as it doesn’t get too wet, he’ll be fine with a bit of juice in the ground.

Charlie Appleby, trainer of Ispolini
He's done well from two to three and stayed the mile and a quarter well when winning his maiden at Kempton on his latest start. We always thought he'd make a better three-year-old and anything he did last season was going to be a bonus. He's been pleasing us at home and this race looks like a natural progression.

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