'He's in great shape' - Crisford bullish about Without A Fight for Buckhounds

2.30 Ascot
tote+ Pays More At tote.co.uk Buckhounds Stakes (Listed) | 1m4f | 4yo+ | ITV4/Sky

Without A Fight faced a tough opponent in Al Aasy on his reappearance at Newbury last month, but his good showing there has connections oozing positivity ahead of this Listed contest.

On his first start in Group company the son of Teofilo delighted Simon Crisford, who trains him in partnership with son Ed, despite failing to match the blistering closing pace of the winner.

"We were very happy with his run last time," Simon Crisford said. "It was a great reappearance effort behind a good horse and this trip is perfect for him at the moment.

"There's plenty of rain around in the morning, and while he would not want it bottomless he has won on soft ground. He'll get through it though as he showed several times last season.

"He's in great shape and we've been very happy with the work he's done since Newbury. It looks a typically competitive race and there's lots in there with decent chances, including him."

Without A Fight held a Yorkshire Cup entry and finished two lengths behind subsequent St Leger runner-up Berkshire Rocco over a mile and six furlongs last season but will be kept to this distance for now.

A bid for the Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot could be next on the agenda should his progress continue in what is an undeniably competitive race.

Crisford added: "He's still lightly raced and is still only just starting out. I'm sure he'll stay further than a mile and a half, and did so when he ran well against Berkshire Rocco last season.

"That was on soft ground too, so a mile and six will be well within his compass given time, but we don't have any intention of stepping him up in trip for now."

What they say

Peter Chapple-Hyam, trainer of Deja
There's more rain forecast and that will suit him. He came out of his last run with a badly bruised foot and had a few days off, but he's back and seems in good form. He likes the track and the more runners the better for him as it keeps him interested. He'll have a chance to run well.

Deja: returns to Ascot after finishing second at Royal Ascot last seasonCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Roger Varian, trainer of Gold Maze
He's a new horse to us and we're still learning about him but this looks like a good starting point. He should handle the ground but it looks competitive enough.

Phil Cunningham, owner of Tyson Fury
He won well over course and distance last year despite getting a bit warm beforehand and not having the race run to suit. I think that race now looks a little better on paper than it did at the time. He needed the run last time more than we thought he might as he's a huge horse. He ran a bit too gassy there and hopefully we'll see an improvement this time on the back of that. He's so lightly raced as we've had to let him come along in his own time.

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