Superlative winner to carry burden at Ascot
Thursday, 21 September 2006 16:43Halicarnassus, who sprang a 33-1 surprise in the Superlative Stakes at Newmarket's July meeting, bids to give 3lb to his seven rivals in the Juddmonte Royal Lodge Stakes at Ascot on Saturday.
The Mick Channon-trained youngster is burdened with the penalty for his half-length verdict over He's a Decoy.
The Cape Cross colt is defending an unbeaten record in the Group Two contest over the round mile, having dead-heated with Norisan over seven furlongs on his debut.
Aidan O'Brien's Admiralofthefleet, third in the Superlative Stakes, will be joined by his stablemate and recent Tipperary maiden winner Abide With Me.
Khalid Abdullah's Juddmonte Farms sponsor the race and the owner is represented by dual winner Gold Option, trained by John Gosden.
Champlain started favourite for the Superlative Stakes but having proved a big disappointment in finishing last, he will be bidding to get his career back on track for Newmarket trainer Michael Jarvis.
He had earlier won the Chesham Stakes at the Royal meeting, in which Kevin Ryan's Gweebarra, who reopposes, finished fifth.
Also in the field are Mark Johnston's Kirklees and Eoghan O'Neill's Medicine Path, who lock horns once more after finishing third and fifth respectively behind Strategic Prince in Goodwood's Vintage Stakes.
