Azamour aims to be Champion again

John Oxx reports Azamour to be in good order as he bids to follow up on his Irish Champion Stakes victory in the English equivalent at Newmarket on Saturday.

An impressive winner of the St James's Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot, the John Oxx-trained colt produced a devastating turn of foot to nail a high-class field at Leopardstown last month.

The son of Night Shift had failed to get his head in front on his first two starts of the campaign when finishing third and second in the English and Irish 2000 Guineas respectively.

"He only had two runs as a two-year-old so he was a bit green at the start of the year, but he ran well at Newmarket and it looked to be a good Guineas on the day,"  Oxx told At The Races.

"We were a little disappointed that he didn't win at the Curragh, but he has progressed nicely from then on and we thought that he was very fit before Ascot. He had a couple of little setbacks before the Curragh and he had a better run-up to Ascot.

"It was nice that he won and proved himself at a mile. He had a break after that which did him the world of good. He has thrived recently and looks a different horse now.

On his latest outing at Leopardstown, Azamour was virtually last entering the home straight but he came home strongly to score by half a length from Norse Dancer. Other Group One performers Grey Swallow, Doyen, Powerscourt and Rakti were in arrears that day, making Azamour's performance of the highest order.

"He had a great burst of speed and maintained it for a full two furlongs or more, which was impressive," the  handler continued.

"He won well but started to ease up at the line as there were some photographers on the outside that caught his eye and he was not doing a lot in the last few strides. However, we were very pleased with his burst of acceleration and were delighted with his run.

"He has had a good run since Leopardstown and has had a trouble-free preparation so far. We are very happy with him and everything has gone very well, and we just hope that it continues that way for a few more days."`

Oxx also plans to have two other runners at Newmarket. Mkuzi is set to take on the stayers in the Persian Punch Jockey Club Cup,  while Caradak being aimed at the Victor Chandler Challenge Stakes.

Filed by James McMahon