Stoute treads familiar path in Group 3 contest with classy project Crystal Ocean

It is often said that trainers are creatures of habit but, when it comes to starting off his stable's leading middle-distance project at four, it is almost an article of faith that Sir Michael Stoute will head for Sandown at the end of April.

A record eight wins in the Gordon Richards Stakes is impressive in itself but it is the names on that roll of honour (as well as a few to have been beaten here) which speaks of Stoute's predilection for sending his best older prospects to this particular race.

Twelve months ago it was Ulysses who carried the Freemason Lodge banner to success at the start of a brilliant campaign.

Bidding to emulate him will be Crystal Ocean, an eye-catching third in the Dante last May who was spared the rigours of the Derby but stamped himself as a colt of great potential with success in the Gordon Stakes – another Stoute speciality – before just going down to Capri in the St Leger.

All but two in the line-up are making their seasonal reappearance but the Queen's Fabricate comes here off the back of a fine Listed win at Kempton.

Previously he captured the Group 3 Winter Hill Stakes at Windsor last August, getting the better of Spark Plug, another of his rivals here.

Fabricate is one of two runners with the benefit of a recent outingCredit: John Grossick

Trainer Michael Bell said: "This was the plan after he ran at Kempton. We’re hoping the rain stays away as he's more effective on decent ground. Provided it does he's going to be very competitive."

What About Carlo makes a quick return to action having been third to Defoe on his seasonal return at Newbury last Saturday.

Almodovar showed a high level of form in the summer of 2016 but has been off the track for more than 18 months and has his first start for Roger Charlton.

Also starting out under a new trainer is Morando, who was twice placed at this level last season before being purchased by King Power's Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha to join Andrew Balding.

"It’s still early days with him and he's still a bit backward in his coat," said Balding. "I'm sure he'll improve for the run."

First Sitting enjoyed a fine campaign last year, capped by Group 3 success at Deauville in the Prix Gontaut-Biron.

Chris Wall will be one of many trainers in Newmarket to welcome the arrival of Gerald Mosse, who struck up a fine relationship with First Sitting and will be on board here.

"We just got held up in his preparation with the bad weather, otherwise we'd thought we'd run him in the Earl of Sefton," said Wall. "He’s had a good rest and on the work he has shown us at home I think he's as good as ever but he could have done with one more piece of work on the grass."

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