Crisford team in familiar territory with Finest Sound in Britannia bid

Britannia Stakes | 1m | 3yo | ITV/SKY

Simon and Ed Crisford are in pole position to become the first dual licence holders to celebrate success at Royal Ascot, with recent Haydock winner Finest Sound leading the charge.

The father and son combination got their new venture off the mark when the son of Exceed And Excel ran away with a mile handicap on June 8 for which he is shortly due to go up 7lb.

He only has to shoulder a 5lb penalty for that easy success and could be handily drawn towards the stands' side in stall 17.

The Crisfords and owner Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum know all about the Britannia Handicap, having won it two years ago with subsequent Group scorer Ostilio.

Ostilio: won this race for Simon Crisford two years agoCredit: Mark Cranham

John Gosden, who went close a year ago when Turgenev was narrowly denied by Biometric, fields four this time headed by course winner Enemy, the mount of Oisin Murphy.

What they say

John Gosden, trainer of Verboten, Cherokee Trail, Eshaasy and Enemy
Verboten had a wide draw at Lingfield the other day where he ran well and should handle some give in the ground. Ryan Moore got off Cherokee Trail after the Newmarket Stakes last time and said to drop him back to a mile as he didn't stay. Eshaasy is ready to start off but has been off for a while and may improve for it. Oisin Murphy got off Enemy after he finished second over seven furlongs at Yarmouth the other day and said he wants this trip.

Hughie Morrison, trainer of Starcat
He ran a great race to be seventh in the 2,000 Guineas on quick ground but how he'll handle it if it's soft is a concern and he hasn't got a great draw either in stall one. On the plus side he seems to have come out of the race in good shape.

Richard Fahey, trainer of Toro Strike and Amaysmont
Toro Strike is stepping up in trip as his last run was over six-and-a-half furlongs. He was always going to be a better three-year-old and goes in deep in handicap company here but is rated 94 and is knocking on the door of being a black type horse. Amaysmont ran a blinder when sixth at Lingfield the other day. You’re taking it on trust he’s going to get the trip.

Roger Varian, trainer of Khaloosy
He's been training well at home but this will be a different ball game to running on the all-weather. He's ready to start off but is still short on experience and is a nice horse for the future.

Charlie Appleby, trainer of Path Of Thunder
He's been off for 11 months, so may need this run back, but he's been pleasing us at home this year.

Dubai Mirage (left): shed his maiden at Kempton and will sport cheekpieces in the BritanniaCredit: Pool

Saeed bin Suroor, trainer of Dubai Mirage
He won his maiden at Kempton the other day and has improved for the race. We are putting cheekpieces on to help him concentrate. Cieren Fallon takes off 3lb and we are hopeful of another good run.

Clive Cox, trainer of Dance Fever
He was three from three last year and this looks the right race to start him back in. Too much rain beforehand would be a concern.

Simon Crisford, co-trainer of Finest Sound
He won well at Haydock on his reappearance and has progressed at home since. He just sneaks into this with his penalty but it looks super competitive as it always is.

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