Simmering coming to the boil for Newbury return

Ollie Sangster looks to put the finishing touches to Simmering’s 1000 Guineas preparations when she heads to Newbury seeking local success in the Dubai Duty Free Stakes.

Just one of a crack team of fillies at the Manton handler’s disposal this season, the daughter of Too Darn Hot excelled in top company during her juvenile campaign and now uses this prestigious Group Three event as a springboard to a potential trip to Newmarket for Classic action next month.

“It’s a big afternoon and she’s obviously a horse we’ve been looking forward to all winter, so it is nice to get her back out on the track,” said Sangster. “Newbury is our local track and we’re hopeful she can run a nice race.

“I’d say she probably sets the standard on form, but there are a couple of talented fillies in the race and a couple who she has raced against before. Charlie Appleby’s filly (Mountain Breeze) is obviously match-fit and been in good form in Dubai.

“We hope she runs a nice race, but we also think it will bring her forward nicely with a view to the 1000 Guineas, all being well.”

Simmering will not lack for assistance in the saddle with star international pilot Christophe Soumillon taking over from the unavailable Dylan Browne McMonagle – a new association which Sangster is relishing.

The trainer said: “We were really keen to see if Christophe would be interested in riding her and he is, which is great for me as I’ve enjoyed watching Christophe ride all these fantastic horses over a number of years, he’s such a fantastic jockey. To have him riding a horse of ours is really exciting.

“Dylan rode her a few times last year and we were keen to keep him on her this year. He’s been over and ridden her a few times this spring but he’s busy tomorrow with other assignments elsewhere, which is absolutely fine.

“The Al Shaqab team and Sheikh Joaan (owners) have a great association with Christophe and have enjoyed plenty of success together.”

Sangster has a second string to his bow for the Fred Darling in Listed course-and-distance winner Ellaria Sand, who will sport the famous colours of the trainer’s late grandfather, Robert Sangster, after blowing away the cobwebs at Kempton recently.

“She’s won twice at Newbury and likes the track and she’s a big mare who grew a lot over the winter,” continued Sangster.

“We went to Kempton as it was the right sort of questions and we needed to get her out and get a run under her belt. She’s had that run and taken a step forward from it and hopefully she has realistic place claims.”

Formal is another putting her Classic aspirations to the test when she makes her debut for new handler Andrew Balding.

The daughter of Dubawi was with Sir Michael Stoute last year and won her first two outings before finishing fourth in the Rockfel, but there is hope she can leave that minor blip behind her in the hands of Oisin Murphy.

Chris Richardson, of owners Cheveley Park Stud said: “I think nicer ground is going to be in her favour, it was pretty quick when she impressed on her debut. There’s no rain forecast.

“A trial is important for her. She’s shown she is talented but I’d have just liked to have seen her grow a little bit more than she has, but as we all know, some of the best things come in small packages.”

Adrian Murray’s California Dreamer is a Group-race veteran despite her tender age. Only two of her eight races have not been in Pattern company, including the Dundalk maiden she won in February.

“She’s very consistent, hopefully she’ll step up again and we’ll see what happens. She’s very good,” said Murray.

“She won over a mile last time but she could easily be a filly that moves around trip-wise as she’s very pacey.”

The aforementioned Mountain Breeze has been hugely impressive in two runs in Dubai this year, while Harry Eustace’s Time For Sandals and Aidan O’Brien’s Heavens Gate are others with smart form to their names.