Tom Clover has raised the possibility of stable star Al Nayyir making a return to Group One company before the season is out after earmarking the Prix Royal-Oak as a possible target.
The Newmarket handler believes that the extended one-mile seven-furlong contest at Saint-Cloud in October could be a nice slot for the evergreen eight-year-old.
After posting several solid runs in defeat since making a winning return in the Group Three Nad Al Sheba Trophy at Meydan in February, the gelded son of Dubawi added to that win at York on Friday when making it third time lucky in the Group Two Weatherbys Lonsdale Cup.
Unlimited Replays
of all UK and Irish races with our Race Replays
Discover Sporting Life Plus Benefits
And, on the back of that win, Clover is keen to pitch Al Nayyir back in at the top table, with a trip to France seen as the most notable option, should conditions be in his favour.
Clover said: “He was second not beaten far behind Vauban, then he was third behind Trawlerman and Sweet William last year. He seems to really like the track.
“We had a plan to let them get racing and try and come with a wet sail late on. You often find that at York that races like that can change complexion in that last furlong. It was a great effort from the whole team, and it was a lovely ride from William (Buick).
“He is eight years old now so we will just look after him and pick our spots. He is an absolute gent to train. I suppose the race that jumps out, and one you would love to have a think about the Prix Royal Oak, but I need to speak to the connections.
“He is a horse that loves training as he doesn’t like being off that much. We will tick him along, give him an easy couple of weeks, and then build him back up.
“Having had Champions Day the week before, and others running in the Cadran, the Royal-Oak would seem to make sense if the ground was okay.
“It is obviously the right way around for us, we think. It would seem to be a nice race to have another go at a Group One.”
As for stablemate Tabletalk, who finished second for the fourth time this year in the Group Three Highclere Thoroughbred Racing Geoffrey Freer Stakes at Newbury earlier this month.
Clover has hinted he might work back from the Red Sea Turf Handicap at Riyadh.
Clover added: “He has been second in seven of his last ten starts. I think he has been unlucky as he is not ungenuine at all. Stakes races, and these big handicaps are hard to win, but he has really served it up well and hopefully one will fall his way soon.
“We might not see him here again this year. We might get him ready for the Red Sea Turf Handicap again, which he finished second in this year. He is five years old, and a stayer. We want to have him around for a long time so we need to look after him.
“He was just nabbed on the line at York on his penultimate start then we just bumped into an improving horse who had an easy lead last time out. He is a wonderful horse to have and hopefully he can have his day soon.”
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.al
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.