Today's G3 Bet365 Classic Trial at Sandown witnesses the eagerly anticipated return of G1 Epsom Derby second-favourite Midterm (GB) (Galileo {Ire}) and Juddmonte's homebred son of three-time G1 Nassau S. heroine and GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf winner Midday (GB) will line up coming back off a taking score in a Newbury maiden last October. Trainer Sir Michael Stoute has won three renewals of the contest, including with subsequent Blue Riband scorers Shergar (GB) and Shahrastani.
“He's not an extravagant work horse at home,” commented Teddy Grimthorpe. “He's straightforward, is moving well and doing fine. Everyone's pleased with him, but he's not a spectacular worker from that point of view. Obviously we were pleased with the way he won his maiden at Newbury last year, but he is only a maiden winner.”
The Hannon yard, which has never been successful here in any incarnation, is doubly represented by last year's G2 Vintage S. and G2 Champagne S. third Palawan (GB) (Mount Nelson {GB}) and Listed Feilden S. scorer Ventura Storm (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}). Like Midterm, High Grounds (Ire) (High Chaparral {Ire}), from the Charlie Hills stable, is a once-out maiden winner and returns off a six-length score on the Lingfield all-weather at the end of January. William Haggas trainee Dwight D (GB) (Duke of Marmalade {Ire}) is another making his turf debut and goes postward off an impressive nine-length rout at Wolverhampton Jan. 15.
“He's up in grade, but is a nice horse who stays well and I'm hopeful he'll run a nice race for us,” Haggas said.
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