'When Caspian Prince gets an easy lead he takes some pegging back'

Sapphire Stakes
2.55 Curragh (Group 2)| 5f | 3yo+ | ATR

Eighty-four and still not out. Caspian Prince has enjoyed an incredible innings and there is no sign of him getting stumped just yet.

This will be the evergreen nine-year-old's 85th start and he looked as good as ever when narrowly denied by the reopposing Battle Of Jericho in the Rockingham over course and distance last month.

That was a handicap and this time Caspian Prince does not have to give lumps of weight away. Mick Appleby has booked Irish champion jockey Colin Keane for the ride and everything points to a bold showing from one of the most popular sprinters in training.

Caspian Prince: multiple winner of the Epsom Dash is becoming a bit of a sprinting legendCredit: Edward Whitaker

He is the defending champion too, having won this race in 2017.

Appleby said of his lovable veteran: "He's come out of his latest race really well and should go close. Speed is his main asset and when he gets an easy lead he takes some pegging back.

"I just hope they don't get much rain as it's a case of the faster the ground the better. We've got a good jockey in Colin Keane and everything looks to be in his favour."

If Caspian Prince has been there, done that and bought the t-shirt, Mabs Cross is still in the queue for one.

The four-year-old is on the up and arguably produced the best performance of her career to take third behind Blue Point in the King's Stand. A repeat of that will surely see her in the thick of things.

Trainer Michael Dods said: "She's in great form. It's a tough race, as you'd expect for a Group race, but she ran well again last time and we're looking forward to it. They say it's good to firm but nice ground."

Mabs Cross: four-year-old is progressing nicely for connections who do well with sprintersCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Havana Grey was only fifth behind Mabs Cross in the Palace House at Newmarket earlier in the season, but he was 6-4 favourite that day and Karl Burke is confident he has trained on from two to three.

Burke said: "He's in great form. He's had a nice break and I'm expecting him to run a big race. I've no concerns about how he's trained on from last year – he's a proper five-furlong horse."

Aidan O'Brien last won this Group 2 with Fountain Of Youth in 2014 and is triple-handed with Washington DC, Declarationofpeace and the aforementioned Battle Of Jericho.

There may have been some eyebrows raised after seeing the jockey bookings as Ryan Moore has opted to ride Battle Of Jericho, despite being rated 7lb inferior to Washington DC.

O'Brien said: "Everyone knows what Washington DC needs – fast ground and luck in running.

"Battle Of Jericho is going back up in grade after winning the Rockingham Handicap over course and trip last time. We think he's a progressive colt.

"We're putting blinkers on Declarationofpeace to help him concentrate and, hopefully, he can improve on his two previous efforts this season. He needs to be played late."

The line-up is completed by the Henry de Bromhead-trained Gorane, who deserves a change of luck having finished second on his last three starts.

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