How do Group 1 winners fare on the all-weather? Here's the definitive answer

Betway Churchill Stakes (Listed) | 1m2f | 3yo+ | ITV/Sky

It is rare to see Group 1 winners on the all-weather and visitors to Lingfield are in for a treat because there are two lining up on the same day.

The Last Lion has his first run since winning the 2016 Middle Park – a 1,876-day hiatus – in the Betway Golden Rose Stakes (3.05), while Pyledriver makes his first appearance in this contest since landing the Coronation Cup at Epsom in June.

Since the start of 2000, only four British or Irish Group 1 winners ran on the all-weather on their next start and three won. All three winners came in the September Stakes at Kempton – Jack Hobbs (2015) and Enable (2018 and 2020) – while 2003 Dewhurst winner Milk It Mick was the only one beaten when second on his seasonal return at Lingfield the following year.

Pyledriver might not be in the same league as Jack Hobbs or Enable, but he recorded a Racing Post Rating of 122 in the Coronation Cup and that is higher than the median RPR for all Group 1 winners in recent years. He evidently has a class edge in this Listed contest.

However, he has the weight to show for it and has to carry a 7lb penalty for his Group 1 win. That leaves him with 1lb to find on RPRs with Dubai Warrior, who simply loves Lingfield.

Dubai Warrior's form figures over course and distance read 1113, and those four efforts make up four of his five highest RPRs. He has been out of form but, if he is going to reproduce his best, it will be at this track, and trainer David Loughnane fits an eyeshield for this second start for the yard. Loughnane is 2-6 with runners in the aid for the first time since the start of 2016.

Fox Tal, Harrovian and Felix have all recorded RPRs of 112 or higher and that meets the par for Listed races in Britain and Ireland in recent seasons. However, only Fox Tal has reached that figure on the all-weather and that came when third in the September Stakes at Kempton. Maybe the return to an artificial surface can help him land a first win in more than two years.
Race analysis by Graeme Rodway

Pyledriver on road to Hong Kong

Pyledriver will bring a touch of class to the ten-runner finale, which he is using as a prep for next month's Group 1 Hong Kong Vase at Sha Tin.

Trained by William Muir and Chris Grassick, the four-year-old will not find things easy on his first start in over five months as he has a 7lb penalty to carry on account of his Epsom triumph over Al Aasy in June.

Pyledriver was forced to miss big summer Group 1 targets such as the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot and the Juddmonte International at York with a subsequent groin injury, but he is ready to restart his campaign.

His regular jockey Martin Dwyer said: "Obviously it's frustrating that Pyledriver hasn't run for the last half of the season. He picked up an injury which William and Chris have had to tread carefully with, but hopefully we can reap the rewards this winter. He's a fresh horse and looks better now than he did before Epsom, in my opinion, as he seems to have put some muscle on."

The Derby-winning jockey added of the immediate task in hand: "It's taken quite a bit to get him fit and he's been to Newbury for a racecourse gallop. He's the best horse in the race and has a nice draw so hopefully he can be prominent, and this will be a nice prep for Hong Kong."

What they say

David Loughnane, trainer of Dubai Warrior
He disappointed on his first start for us at Dundalk, but he's been in good form at home since and we are hoping for a better showing. He won the race last year and he's consistent around Lingfield so hopefully going back there will play to his strengths.

Marco Botti, trainer of Felix
He's been off since July purposefully to have another winter campaign and we've freshened him up at home. He looks well in his skin and has been in very good form in his work, and this could set him up for a possible return trip to Dubai where he finished third in the Dubai Turf last year. Otherwise we could keep him here and run on the all-weather.

Rab Havlin, rider of Harrovian
I rode him work the other day and he seems in good form and we’ve put the blinkers back on him to sharpen him up. Obviously, he’ll have to bring his A-game with the likes of Pyledriver in there, but it's a race in which we've done well in the past.

Charlie Fellowes, trainer of Via Serendipity
Going up to ten furlongs will be interesting but he was doing all his best work at the finish when winning over a mile at Goodwood last time. He seems to have enjoyed it since we've taken all the gadgets off him and he's well drawn.
Reporting by David Milnes

Saturday's race previews:

12.00 Punchestown: all eyes on exciting Bob Olinger as Ballymore winner makes chase debut

12.30 Cheltenham: is Magistrato Paul Nicholls' next juvenile star? Graeme Rodway gives his view

12.38 Punchestown: Arkle clues on offer as Cape Gentleman bids to maintain unbeaten chase record

1.40 Cheltenham: 'I don't have him in the Arkle picture' – just how good is Third Time Lucki?

2.15 Cheltenham: 'I couldn't be happier with him' – key trainer quotes for the Paddy Power

2.50 Cheltenham: is there a Mrs Milner lurking? Festival clues on offer again for Listed contest

3.25 Cheltenham: Murphy and Skelton hotpots all the rage but dangers lurk in tough handicap

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