George Scott is delighted with Caballo De Mar’s condition in the lead up to the two-time Group 1 winner's anticipated run in the Weatherbys Lonsdale Cup at York on August 21.
The Gold Cup at Royal Ascot didn’t go to plan for the Victorious Forever-owned five-year-old – and the race “took him a little while to get over,” according to his Newmarket-based trainer.
But the feeling within Scott’s Eve Lodge Stables is that the gelding is well on the way to returning to peak form for the Knavesmire where he may well lock horns again with Gold Cup runner-up Trawlerman.
Assuming Caballo De Mar does line up for the two-mile Group 2, he will carry an additional 3lb penalty for his May victory in the Group 1 Prix Vicomtesse Vigier at Longchamp.
Scott said: “Preparations are going great. We've seen a real change in him in the last week, ten days, and he’s very much on track for York now as has been the plan for quite some time.
“If Trawlerman turns up he'll be a very short-price favourite and deservedly so – and Caballo has got a lot of ground to make up from Ascot.
“But York is a different track over a different distance and a different time of year, so you'd have to think that Caballo might be able to somewhat bridge that gap.
“But Trawlerman will be a worthy favourite and a very, very hard horse to beat if he turns up.”
Caballo De Mar’s stablemate Mrair is also due to run at York on Friday 21 August. The Mehmas colt is training for a shot at the Group 2 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Gimcrack Stakes.
Like Caballo De Mar, Mrair’s last assignment was at Royal Ascot where he finished eighth of 21 in the Coventry Stakes.
Scott said: “He's very much on track for the Gimcrack. It's a big race, a nice race to be a part of and he goes there in very good shape.
“I know he's a colt that people will be looking out for. He didn't do much wrong going into Ascot and then ran well in the Coventry. He was just a little bit unlucky at a couple of points in the race and probably would have finished a little bit closer.”
Scott expects to be represented by Gamrai in the £500,000 Sky Bet Ebor itself on Saturday 22 August.
The four-year-old has switched to Scott’s string after last being seen when going down by a head in the Copper Horse Handicap at Royal Ascot.
Scott commented: “A recent acquisition by Victorious Forever, he’s settled in well.
“It's a little bit like stepping into the lion's den when you buy a horse and run in a race like the Ebor. But it will be a great opportunity to get to know him and unbelievable prize money – it's hard to miss.”
Scott is a big fan of the Sky Bet Ebor Festival and looks sure to select others to run over the four days.
He added: “Al Aali, who won at Glorious Goodwood, will come up to York probably; maybe Wave Rider. And Ridari, who is a new recruit, maybe for the Strensall.
“So, we do have some other horses to bring and I'm really looking forward to it. These big meetings, you bounce from meeting to meeting – it's fantastic really.”
The four-day Sky Bet Ebor Festival runs from Wednesday 19 August to Saturday August 22.
More from Sporting Life
- Free bets
- Racecards
- Fast results
- Full results and free video replays
- Horse racing news
- Horse racing tips
- Horse racing features
- Download our free iOS and Android app
- Football and other sports tips
- Podcasts and video content
Safer gambling
We are committed in our support of safer gambling. Recommended bets are advised to over-18s and we strongly encourage readers to wager only what they can afford to lose.
If you are concerned about your gambling, please call the National Gambling Helpline / GamCare on 0808 8020 133.
Further support and information can be found at begambleaware.org and gamblingtherapy.org.