Ombudsman bids to assert Brigadier Gerard authority

Ryan Moore has the chance to extend his phenomenal Star Sports Brigadier Gerard Stakes record when he partners John and Thady Gosden’s unbeaten colt Ombudsman at Sandown.

Moore – who has won the Group Three contest a record seven times – partnered the son of Night Of Thunder at Deauville last August and now gets another opportunity aboard the four-year-old who has Royal Ascot and the Prince of Wales’s Stakes in his sights.

“He has always seemed a talented colt and he progressed very well last season, developing gradually through the ranks to end up winning a Group Three on his last start,” said Thady Gosden.

“He has always been a horse that has just taken a bit of time to mature, but he had a good three-year-old campaign and we hope he will have a smart four-year-old campaign as well.”

Ombudsman is one of two in the race for Godolphin, with Charlie Appleby’s Military Order also taking his chance, although Ancient Wisdom is now a non runner.

Appleby told Godolphin: “Military Order comes into this in great shape on the back of his win at Kempton.

“We automatically thought about coming here following that success, although we will be watching the weather to see how much rain Sandown gets. He will run if it’s a sound surface and you would hope that he will be a live contender.”

Ed Walker’s Almaqam was a place behind Ancient Wisdom in the Gordon Richards and enjoyed arguably his finest hour on this card 12 months ago when winning the Heron Stakes.

George Scott is seeking a career-best from Phantom Flight, as he returns to further following a run over a mile at Ascot.

He said: “It’s a very strong renewal of the race. It’s a notable race and it’s nice to see it well supported. We’re pleased to be in the action and we’re well drawn.

“I didn’t know what to expect from him at Ascot, I sometimes find with these horses who have been running abroad in the winter they need a run to refocus, and he ran like that.

“He’ll need a career-best to win this but I’m pleased with the way he’s training.”