Spycatcher shall be focused on the Dash Cup at Haydock earlier than a visit to Champions Day at Ascot following his near-miss in Sunday’s Prix Maurice de Gheest.
Having impressed in a Group Three on the monitor 4 weeks earlier, the five-year-old returned to Deauville for Sunday’s Group One function and seemed set to supply coach Karl Burke with a primary top-level success in nearly 4 years when quickening away from the sector.
In the end he was mowed down by King Gold, with only a brief head separating the pair on the line.
Burke mentioned: “It was a bit irritating because it was actually a nod of the heads, wasn’t it? Typically they go for you and generally they go towards you, it is only a disgrace it went towards us in a Group One.
“I believe he was in all probability the most effective horse within the race. Take nothing away from the winner, who stays rather well, whereas we now have that flip of foot and acquired away from them by that two or three lengths and doubtless thought we had the race within the bag on the furlong pole.
“The winner simply reduce us down after which we battled again once more, credit score to Spycatcher, but it surely was heads up heads down and it went towards us.”
The Spigot Lodge handler is now hoping equally testing situations prevail on Merseyside on September 9 to present his cost the most effective likelihood of going one higher forward of a possible tilt on the Qipco British Champions Dash at Ascot in October.
“Fingers crossed he stays in a single piece and Haydock would be the plan, presuming the bottom is correct, and likewise Champions Day at Ascot, which 9 occasions out of 10 does come up in our favour,” he added. “We’re within the lap of the gods actually as if both of these races are run on quick floor he will not be there, however hopefully we’ll discover some good dash races for him right here or in France or wherever.”
Two and a half lengths behind his stablemate in fourth at Deauville was Chilly Case, who Burke feels is now in want of extra of a stamina check.
“He ran effectively, Cliff (Lee, jockey) simply felt he was a bit of bit behind the bridle for no matter cause and he did not present his common sprint,” mentioned the coach.
“A step up in journey is unquestionably within the offing for him. He’ll go as much as seven furlongs and we’ll in all probability attempt him at a mile earlier than the season’s out.
“He is a high-class horse however might be not at that stage simply but. One thing just like the Park Stakes at Doncaster subsequent month could possibly be a superb one for him.”