'Horse with potential' Educator is first royal runner since death of the Queen

Thursday: 4.54 Salisbury
Radcliffe & Co Handicap | 1m2f | 3yo+ | 0-105 | RTV

Educator will become the first horse to carry the royal silks since the death of Queen Elizabeth II on September 8 in the four-runner Radcliffe & Co Handicap (4.54) over 1m2f at Salisbury on Thursday.

The son of Deep Impact, who becomes the first runner for Charles III under the title of The King, has been absent since winning a three-year-old handicap over the same trip at the Newmarket Craven meeting in April.

Trained by William Haggas, Educator was originally being targeted at a race on Cazoo Derby day but plans had to be scrapped when he suffered a setback. He is now back from a break off a mark of 90 to kick off an autumn campaign.

Educator's Newmarket victory, in which he defeated High Fibre by a nose, has since been boosted by the exploits of third-placed Israr, who won a valuable handicap at Newbury before finishing third in the King George V Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Educator has been sighted in the royal silks in public since the Queen’s death when appearing as part of a tribute to the late Monarch at the Henry Cecil Open Weekend at Newmarket on September 18 when he cantered in front of the crowds under Michael Hills.

He was placed on his second start as a juvenile last year before getting off the mark at the third attempt over a mile at Haydock in September and is bred to excel as a three-year-old.

John Warren, racing advisor to The King, said: “We are delighted that Educator is back on track and ready to have his first start having had a little setback earlier this year. We very much think he is a horse with potential and this looks a good spot to get him going again."

Despite having decent claims, Educator will not have it all his own way with the progressive Okeechobee, who is a half-brother to St Leger winner Logician, in the line-up.

Trained by Harry and Roger Charlton, the son of Time Test is having his first outing on turf after successive wins in novice events on the all-weather at Kempton and Wolverhampton.

Joint-trainer Roger Charlton said: “Okeechobee is a nice horse. He didn’t come into us until late and we haven’t run him on turf yet but he’s done everything right on the all-weather and it will be interesting to see what he can do. The ground looks as though it will be good so it should suit him.“

Four-year-olds Belloccio and Gloucestershire make up the quartet.

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