Monday's G3 Merriebelle Pavilion S. serves as the re-introduction of last year's G2 Gimcrack S. winner Blue Point (Ire) (Shamardal), who could take high rank among the sprinters this term and is being geared towards the G1 Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot. Impressive in that juvenile feature of the York Ebor meeting in August, Godolphin's 'TDN Rising Star' was also second in the G1 Middle Park S. at Newmarket in September and third in the G1 Dewhurst S. trying seven furlongs back there the following month. “I am delighted with Blue Point, who wintered well in Dubai,” trainer Charlie Appleby commented. “He has done all I have asked of him to date and I have been pleased with his preparation. He showed a lot of natural speed as a 2-year-old and this race is a good starting point before hopefully going on to the Commonwealth Cup.” Clive Cox has a solid hand in the G2 Mill Reef S. winner Harry Angel (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) and the G2 Prix Robert Papin winner Tis Marvellous (GB) (Harbour Watch {Ire}), while John Gosden drops 'TDN Rising Star' Seven Heavens (GB) (Frankel {GB}) back in trip after his third in the seven-furlong Listed European Free H. at Newmarket on Apr. 19.
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