Khalid Abdullah's Exosphere (GB) (Beat Hollow {GB}), an upset but eye-catching winner of the G2 Jockey Club S. at Newmarket Apr. 30, is set to take in the G2 Hardwicke S. at Royal Ascot next week, and has also been given an entry in the G1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth S. over the same course July 23.
Exosphere was trying group company for the first time in the Jockey Club and got the measure of last year's G1 St Leger winner Simple Verse (Ire) (Duke of Marmalade {Ire}) by four lengths, and the owner's Racing Manager, Lord Grimthorpe, said, “Exosphere is in good form and is heading towards the Hardwicke S. at Royal Ascot. He had been working nicely going into the Jockey Club S. but, with two Classic winners in there [Simple Verse and Jack Hobbs], we were far from confident. He follows a pretty well-trodden Sir Michael Stoute pathway and we were very happy with the way he quickened and put the race to bed.”
Also set for Royal Ascot and with a King George entry is last year's G3 Tercentenary S. winner Time Test (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), who won the G3 Brigadier Gerard S. on seasonal debut at Sandown May 26. Lord Grimthorpe warned, however, that he is unlikely to appear in the King George.
“Time Test is good after winning nicely at Sandown,” he said. “We were very pleased with him and he now goes for the [G1] Prince Of Wales's S. at Royal Ascot. As far as he is concerned, I would say the King George is just a precautionary entry. He could stay a mile and a half and we just wanted to have that covered, but primarily we feel is 10-furlong horse.”
One Khalid Abdullah colourbearer who will not make the trip to Ascot for the Prince Of Wales's, but has a King George entry, is the Andre Fabre-trained New Bay (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}). Last year's G1 Prix du Jockey Club winner was sixth behind A Shin Hikari (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) on heavy ground in the G1 Prix d'Ispahan May 24.
“New Bay did not work to Andre Fabre's satisfaction on Tuesday morning and will not be coming over to Royal Ascot,” Lord Grimthorpe confirmed. “He is fine but did not please enough in his work to bring him for a Group 1. Soundness-wise he has got no problems so we will give him a bit more time and regroup.”
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