The globe-trotting Flintshire (GB) (Dansili {GB}), hero of last summer's GI Sword Dancer S. at Saratoga, returns to the Spa as an overwhelming choice in Saturday's GII Bowling Green S.
After closing out his tenure for Andre Fabre with a pair of runner-up finishes in the G1 Prix de I'Arc de Triomphe Oct. 4 and G1 Hong Kong Vase Dec. 13, the 6-year-old Juddmonte Farms homebred turned in a spectacular performance in his first attempt for Chad Brown in the GI Woodford Reserve Manhattan S. on the GI Belmont S. undercard June 11. The third-place finisher that day World Approval (Northern Afleet) returned to capture Monmouth's GI United Nations S.
“He's doing really well,” Brown said. “He came to us in really good shape from Andre Fabre, in mint condition. At his age, for a horse to come in looking that good, it's really a testament to how well both Fabre and Juddmonte managed this horse, as well his whole career with all the traveling he's done.”
Brown continued, “I think he got a lot out of the Manhattan. Exiting the race he's a fitter and stronger horse. I feel like the timing of this race works well for him. I hate to take him out of Grade I competition, but I like where he's at fitness wise.”
Likely pacesetter Grand Tito (Candy Ride {Arg}), winner of Gulfstream's GII Mac Diarmida S. Mar. 5, was fourth behind Flintshire in the Manhattan last out.
The veteran Twilight Eclipse (Purim) received some class relief in his latest, scoring in an allowance at Belmont July 8. The bay had gone winless in eight attempts since his win in the 2015 GI Man O' War S.
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