Key Victory should be a key player says Appleby as Godolphin chase hat-trick

Hampton Court Stakes | Group 3 | 1m2f | 3yo | ITV4/RUK

The Hampton Court has been kind to Godolphin in recent years and there is every chance it could be again this year – but working out which is the operation's number one prospect is far from easy.

Hawkbill for Charlie Appleby and Benbatl for Saeed Bin Suroor struck in 2016 and 2017, with both going on to become Group 1 winners.

The two trainers are again represented in a renewal that has attracted a bumper 16-runner line-up.

Heading the ante-post market has been Appleby's Prix du Jockey Club eighth Key Victory, even though he must reverse form with the Chantilly sixth Hunting Horn.

William Buick prefers the favourite to stablemate Nordic Lights, most recently fifth in the Dante Stakes as a 4-1 shot. James Doyle gets on him, while Christophe Soumillon is booked for Bin Suroor's National Army, the winner of a Doncaster novice event on his sole start 20 days ago.

Appleby said: "Key Victory is learning on the job. He didn’t lose anything in defeat in France and learned plenty on the day. I think he'll be a key player and being back on a sounder surface will suit him.

"Nordic Lights was a bit slow from the gates at York. Hopefully we can get him to break a bit quicker this time. If he can run up to the level of the Dante form he won’t be too far away."

Asked about National Army, Bin Suroor said: "He won well at Doncaster and I liked the way he finished the race. He's improved for that run and stepping up to a mile and a quarter should suit."

Can O'Brien end long wait for a third Hampton Court win?

Hampton Court honours are even between the sport's two main superpowers as, like Godolphin, Coolmore and Aidan O'Brien have managed two wins in the race.

That said, you have to look back a little way in the race's history to find those winners.

Hunting Horn represents Ballydoyle in the Hampton CourtCredit: Patrick McCann

Moscow Ballet and Indigo Cat took what were the third and fourth runnings of the race in 2004 and 2005.

Trying to end the 13-year wait is Hunting Horn, who preceded his French Derby sixth by finishing third in the Sandown Classic Trial and Chester Vase.

O'Brien said: "He wasn't beaten far when sixth in the Prix du Jockey Club having been placed in a couple of Classic trials. He's a good, solid colt and we're looking forward to a good run."

Wadilsafa among those hit by draw

Those who protested against moving the Champion Stakes from Newmarket to Ascot pointed to the disadvantage faced by horses drawn wide in races over 1m2f at Ascot, where there is a short run to the first bend.

Among the potential worst sufferers in this race over that trip are Crossed Baton (stall 15), whose trainer John Gosden fears the draw will be disastrous for the Dante seventh, and the twice-raced Wadilsafa, so promising in his defeat of the talented Herculean over a mile at Newmarket.

Owen Burrows runs Wadilsafa in the Hampton Court StakesCredit: Matthew Webb

"The draw hasn't been too kind and that has to be a little worry but with luck in running he could go well," said Wadilsafa's trainer Owen Burrows.

"Going up to this trip should be in his favour and I think he's a Group horse in the making. This may come a little early in his career but time will tell."

What they say

John Gosden, trainer of Crossed Baton and Main Street
Crossed Baton has a nice profile for the race but has an almost impossible draw from stall 15. Main Street has a nice draw and is a progressive horse who should be suited by a stiff ten furlongs on fast ground. He changed hands at the sale the other night and hopefully can give his new owners something to shout about.

Crossed Baton has 'an almost impossible draw' in the Hampton CourtCredit: Edward Whitaker

Hugo Palmer, trainer of Fajjaj and Silver Quartz
Both will love the fast ground. Fajjaj has achieved more to date but as a result is more exposed. Silver Quartz may have a tiny bit more untapped potential but needs to improve for stepping up in trip, which I don’t think is impossible.

Roger Varian, trainer of Masaarr
Masaarr ran well conceding weight and track position to the principals in the London Gold Cup and saw the mile and a quarter out fine. He's always worked like a good horse and might be just the sort who thrives for being pitched into a higher grade, so we thought he was worth a crack at this.

Brian Meehan, trainer of Mini P
He was very impressive first time out coming from a long way back to finish second in what's looking like a really strong maiden at Newbury. Since that run he's been in great form. I'm confident of a similar performance.

Ed Walker, trainer of Stephensons Rocket
He’s in flying form. He’s been a little disappointing so far this season but the rain came at Sandown last time, which was against him. We’re excited about getting on fast ground and I think the trip will suit. He’s drawn in the car park but I don’t think that will be a bad thing for him and we’re very hopeful.

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