Ghostwriter On Course For Classic Test In Prix du Jockey Club

Monday, May 27, 2024 | 12:26 pm

File photo dated 30-09-2023 of Ghostwriter (right). They often say fourth in the Guineas, first in the Derby - and Clive Cox hopes that rings true for the French equivalent as well, as he eyes a trip to Chantilly for Ghostwriter following his fine effort in the 2000 Guineas. Issue date: Monday May 6, 2024. PA Photo. See PA story RACING Ghostwriter. Photo credit should read Tim Goode/PA Wire.

Ghostwriter (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}), last seen finishing fourth in the G1 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket, is said to be an intended runner in Sunday's G1 Prix du Jockey Club at Chantilly as he tries to provide trainer Clive Cox with a first Classic success.

One of 21 colts still in contention for the Prix du Jockey Club, Ghostwriter shaped as if ready for a step up in trip when beaten four and a half lengths on the Rowley Mile, form which received a couple of boosts on Saturday when Rosallion (Ire) (Blue Point {Ire}) and Haatem (Ire) (Phoenix Of Spain {Ire}) filled the first two places in the G1 Irish 2,000 Guineas at the Curragh and Inisherin (GB) (Shamardal) won the G2 Sandy Lane S. at Haydock.

Unbeaten in three starts as a two-year-old, culminating with victory in the G2 Royal Lodge S. at Newmarket, Ghostwriter has always been held in the highest regard by Cox and the trainer is excited to see what he can do on Sunday when his rivals could include the Aidan O'Brien-trained Diego Velazquez (Ire) (Frankel {GB}), David Menuisier's Sunway (Fr) (Galiway {GB}) and the G1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains winner Metropolitan (Fr) (Zarak {Fr}).

“I'm very pleased indeed with him,” Cox said of Ghostwriter. “He's had a healthy timeframe between the Guineas and this weekend and the form of the Guineas has worked out brilliantly, with Kevin's horse winning as well as Richard's two finishing first and second in Ireland, so we're very happy.

“We've been looking forward to stepping him up to a mile and a quarter, more importantly. He did really well last year when he was unbeaten and winning over a mile at two would give us every indication that he should get a little bit further this year. I hope we fare well in the draw and I'm really looking forward to it.”