20th August 2015

Hi ,

The Godolphin trained pair Pure Diamond and Hawkbill gave us two max winning bets on Tuesday at Kempton now I am looking forward to York this week with some top class racing, just hope the rain soften ground does not spoil the party and I hope Mr Bell and the Don do not come to blows on the Knavesmire!

The French trained Sumbal is under consideration for the final British Classic of 2015 at Doncaster on the fourth and last day of the Ladbrokes St Leger Festival next month.

The Francis Graffard-trained colt has not run since finishing fifth in the Prix du Jockey Club (French Derby) at Chantilly on May 30, but is set to return at Deauville later this month ahead of a possible trip to Britain for the extended 14-furlong Classic which is worth £650,000.

Sumbal won his first three starts over 10 furlongs impressively prior to the Prix du Jockey Club, culminating with an easy six-length success in the Group Two Prix Greffulhe at Saint-Cloud on May 5.

Graffard, who trains the son of Danehill Dancer for Qatar Racing Limited, said today: "Sumbal is coming along nicely and is under consideration for the Ladbrokes St Leger."

"He needed a little break after the French Derby, but is very well at the moment. He was always a horse I was looking towards the autumn with and hopefully he will be competitive wherever he runs."

"He is a big horse who needs to be well balanced before producing his acceleration and unfortunately he had to change line twice in the straight during the French Derby."

"He wasn't really able to use his big stride, though once he got balanced he did produce good acceleration to finish fifth. I think with an uninterrupted run he would have finished in the first three and, although I was a bit disappointed at the time, he didn't disgrace himself."

"I would not be scared of stepping up in trip in the St Leger because he is a big galloper. He has a big stride and settles and travels nicely behind horses. He has won left-handed a couple of times and there is a long straight at Doncaster, so it is hard to be boxed in there. I think the race should suit him."

"He has an entry in the Grand Prix de Deauville (Group Two, August 30) beforehand, which is the race I should start him back in."

"It is close but I think he can do both races. If we decided to aim at the St Leger, the race at Deauville should put him spot on for Doncaster. This will all be discussed with Sheikh Fahad (Al Thani) and David Redvers."

There are 28 entries remaining for the world's oldest Classic with Storm The Stars heading the betting at 5/1, and Sumbal is a 16/1 shot with Ladbrokes to give France a first victory since Toulon scored in 1991 for trainer Andre Fabre.

Next years Hennesey meeting at Newbury is to be cut to two days from four featuring the Gold Cup to be run on the Saturday.

Golden Horn has been put in 5/2 favorite with Paddy Power for the Qipco Champion Stakes at Ascot on October 17.

Clondaw Warrior at around 8/1 has a major E/W shout in the Ebor at York on Saturday.

Yours in sport.

Back Next Thursday.

Kevan Minter - The Colonel.

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