With trainer John Gosden's Newmarket barn already firing on all cylinders, Western Hymn (GB) (High Chaparral {Ire}) will go postward as the likely favourite in defence of his crown for today's G3 Bet365 Gordon Richards S. at Sandown. The gelded bay, who also garnered last term's G3 Brigadier Gerard S. at the Esher track, has not been seen since midsummer and returns off a brace of thirds in Royal Ascot's G1 Prince of Wales's S. and in the G1 Eclipse S over course and distance.
Tullius (Ire) (Le Vie dei Colori {GB}), runner-up in the 2014 G1 Lockinge S., was one spot behind Western Hymn in the Eclipse and arrives here race hardened after three starts this term, including a third in this month's G3 Earl of Sefton S. at Newmarket.
William Haggas trainee Our Channel (English Channel) is another with a fitness edge having won three of four all-weather starts this term, including a neck verdict in the Listed Magnolia S. at Kempton last month.
“Our Channel is fine, has done well and had a good winter,” said Haggas. “This is a better class than he's used to as he's been running in high-end handicaps and won a Listed race last time, but I think he deserves a shot at it. He's fit and well, and we think he's a little bit better going right-handed, so we'll see how we get on.”
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