Point To Prove

After gaining 'TDN Rising Star' status with an emphatic success at Doncaster, Godolphin's Blue Point (Ire) (Shamardal) faces the turning point as many have done before as he heads to post for Thursday's G2 Qatar Richmond S. at Goodwood. Successful by 11 lengths in that six-furlong contest July 14, having scored with less panache on debut at Nottingham June 9, the Charlie Appleby trainee now has to face an entirely different class of rival. “He was very impressive visually last time, but he is now stepping into the big league,” his trainer said. “I am very pleased with the horse and he has come out of his last race well and he showed that he deserved a crack at this level. He is a different type of horse to Boynton. This horse shows a lot of natural pace, that's what we've seen so far at home and on the racetrack. Boynton is a big, scopey horse, but I would like to think Blue Point would hopefully see seven out towards the end of the season. We will see how he goes before thinking of stepping him up in trip.”

Bidding to confirm the form of the G2 July S. is Al Shaqab Racing's admirable Mehmas (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}), but he has a three-pound penalty as he renews rivalry with Ballydoyle's Intelligence Cross (War Front), who was just a half-length behind in second in that July 7 six-furlong test. Previously second in the G2 Coventry S. at Royal Ascot June 14, the Richard Hannon trainee may be up against it here but his experience of battle will stand him in good stead. “He is in very good form. He is a very tough horse and he seems to take his racing very well,” the owners's racing manager Harry Herbert commented. “It was a really good performance in the July S. and his performance in the Coventry S. was rock-solid. Although it is only a small field, it looks a pretty decent one. The horse of Godolphin's [Blue Point] is well fancied, I've heard, and he was impressive last time. It will be tough with a penalty, but he is a handy horse that likes to race. Everything from what we've heard from Richard Hannon in how he has come out of the race and how he is at home on the gallops is positive. We are looking forward to seeing him out again.”

It is interesting that John Gosden goes again with the June 14 Listed Windsor Castle S. winner Ardad (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}) despite his last-of-nine flop when far too free in the July, but Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum's Waqaas (GB) (Showcasing {GB}) looks to have it to do despite the likeable way he broke his maiden over this trip at Doncaster last time July 7. “He is a progressive horse and has always shown a good level of ability,” Shadwell's racing manager Angus Gold said. “We could have gone for a novice race with him, but we decided on having at look at this instead with him.”