Crisfords Confident in Vandeek Ahead of Middle Park
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Photo: Edward Whitaker/Racing Post
Vandeek wins the Richmond Stakes at Goodwood
A bullish Simon and Ed Crisford believe top-class prospect Vandeek will be difficult to beat as he searches for a fourth consecutive victory in the Middle Park Stakes (G1) Sept. 30.
The Havana Grey colt, who runs for KHK Racing, is the only runner in the line-up to boast group 1-winning form after he oozed class in beating the well-regarded French-trained Ramatuelle in the Prix Morny (G1) at Deauville in August.
That testing surface was also completely different to what he will encounter at Newmarket, but connections feel the improving colt may benefit for the switch to quicker conditions.
Ed Crisford said: "He's done extremely well for a couple of weeks chilling out after the Morny. He just seems to be a stronger horse all around and he's been training superbly.
"The ground is good to firm but he's a good-moving horse and it's slightly just been the way it's worked out that his three races were all on soft ground. Being by Havana Grey and the way he moves, we always thought he'd be a top-of-the-ground horse. You never know, he could even be better on it.
"It's exciting and I think he'll take all the beating. James (Doyle) has sat on him a couple of times and he's very relaxed and straightforward. Vandeek is a top-class colt and if he can put this in the back of the net, it'll be great."
River Tiber on Revival Mission
An interrupted prep was blamed after River Tiber lost his unblemished record in the Prix Morny but Aidan O'Brien has provided a more upbeat bulletin ahead of his rematch with Vandeek.
River Tiber takes the Coventry Stakes at Ascot Racecourse
The Wootton Bassett colt missed 10 days of work in the build-up to his top-level debut at Deauville but was still able to produce a creditable effort in third, finishing strongly but without threatening the front pair.
Training has gone far more smoothly for the impressive Coventry Stakes (G2) winner ahead of his Newmarket appearance as he seeks to give O'Brien a record-extending eighth Middle Park win.
O'Brien said: "It was a big run from him in the Prix Morny considering everything he went through to try to get there. He finished his race well, and we were delighted to see him doing that. Given his preparation for the Morny, Ryan (Moore) gave him a chance in the early part of the race and he came home well. We were delighted with him.
"Everything has gone smoothly with him this time. We're all very happy."