John Gosden feels dropping down in trip will prove no hindrance to Wings Of Desire (GB) (Pivotal {GB}) when he lines up in Wednesday's G1 Juddmonte International over ten furlongs. It will be the colt's second visit to York this season following his win over subsequent GI winner Deauville (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) in the G2 Betfred Dante S. in May and his trainer is hoping the 3-year-old takes another liking to the Knavesmire next week. “He is in at York and the plan is to run him at this stage. He is in good form and is taking a drop in trip, but he is a course-and-distance winner which always helps,” said Gosden. Lady Bamford's homebred ran a fine race in the G1 King George VI & Queen Elizabeth S. when second to Highland Reel who he will have to re-oppose at York, having previously finished fourth in the G1 Investec Derby at Epsom. “I think he ran a lovely race at Ascot,” reflected Gosden. “Ryan Moore controlled it out in front and I think he got a little bit outstayed at the end. We will take it one race at a time with him, but I am quite happy to see him back over a mile and a quarter.”
Gosden also issued an upbeat update on smart filly So Mi Dar (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}). Lady Lloyd-Webber's unbeaten 3-year-old who is out of triple Group 1 winner Dar Re Mi (GB) (Singspiel {Ire}) was a leading early season fancy for the G1 Investec Oaks following an impressive win in the G3 Tattersalls Musidora S. at York in May. However an injury soon after meant she missed the first half of the season. “She is cantering fine and is in good order,” revealed Gosden. “She has developed and strengthened but we are talking September or October before she is back. We will take it one step at a time and do what is right for her.”
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