Del Mar An Option For Pankhurst

The lightly raced Richard Pankhurst (GB) (Raven’s Pass) looks set for a step up in grade following his comeback success over Dark Emerald (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) at Haydock last week. The John Gosden trained 3-year-old had not been seen on a racecourse since his impressive win in the Listed Chesham S. at Royal Ascot last year and his trainer is not ruling out a trip to America with the Godolphin owned colt later in the year. Reflecting on his peformance Gosden said, “I was happy with Richard Pankhurst. He tolerated the [soft] ground but he does want fast ground and is a much superior horse on it. He was a bit ring-rusty and Dark Emerald is a tough old fellow to get by.” Bred by Gosden’s wife Rachel Hood, Richard Pankhurst has no shortage of future entries with the G2 Joel S. at Newmarket Sept. 25 a likely option followed by a possible trip to Del Mar in November. “Races like the Joel Stakes, we will look at anything like that on decent ground. I hope it’s not his only run this year and there is always the chance of looking at America, something like the GI Hollywood Derby in November,” confirmed Gosden.