Lord Clenaghcastle aims to topple rivals again in south-coast feature

3.10 Brighton
Bombardier Brighton Mile Challenge Trophy Handicap | 1m | 3yo+ | ATR

Last year's first and second, Lord Clenaghcastle and Pendo, clash once again in the mile feature on the East Sussex coast which has attracted a competitive field of 11 runners this year.

Lord Clenaghcastle, trained by Gary Moore, had two lengths to spare over his regular rival a year ago and is 6lb worse off for the rematch, but he does head to Brighton on a high after scoring over seven furlongs at Sandown 13 days ago.

The four-year-old was given a fine waiting ride by his regular partner Hector Crouch when getting up to defeat Another Boy by a neck on that occasion.

Raised just 2lb for that, Lord Clenaghcastle will appreciate the return to this easy mile and Moore revealed that the gelding has been laid out for a repeat trip to the south coast.

He said: "His win at Sandown was a prep race for this, so winning that was a bonus. However, he does have to carry 2lb more as a result.

"He's in good form at home and it's great prize-money for the level of race."

Pendo pending?

Last year's runner-up Pendo is also back for another crack at the £21,000 handicap and he ran well when third in his own prep race on the all-weather at Kempton last time.

Trainer John Best said: "We've had half an eye on this race again all summer. He's run well over further than this and we were pleased with his third the other day.

"It's a great pot to go for and hopefully we can get some of it again."

Third time lucky?

Making his third appearance in the race is Pour La Victoire, who fared best when finishing fourth in 2016. The six-year-old was only 11th last year, but is in a good run of form coming into this year's event.

Pour La Victoire: in good form coming into Brighton's featureCredit: Mark Cranham

Trainer Tony Carroll said: "Pour La Victoire has had a great year and goes there with a nice chance. If they cop a shower that some say they might get, it would increase his chances."

What the rest say

Ed de Giles, trainer of Zlatan
To say he's a frustrating horse is an understatement. He's finished second in his last five races for one reason – he won't go past the leader. We've tried everything but blinkers. He's such a strong traveller, I don't think that sort of headgear would suit him.

Alan Bailey, trainer of Enigmatic
He's very well in himself and ran well to be third last time, but I'm a bit worried about the fast ground. Hopefully they'll get a shower or two.

Philip Hide, trainer of Buzz Lightyere
We were pleased to win a race at Ascot with him and he ran well at Sandown last time, when he could have done with a better end-to-end gallop. The cheekpieces are key to him.

Eve Johnson Houghton, trainer of Optimum Time
The drop back in trip and fitting of blinkers worked well last time – it's just a case of can he do it again. He's the only three-year-old in the race and it looks a hot heat.

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