Caballo De Mar aimed at York after Gold Cup disappointment
George Scott will bring Caballo De Mar to York on Friday in search of a return to form following a disappointing run in the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot. The five-year-old was pulled up after weakening late at Ascot where connections reported the gelding showed signs of heat stress in the immediate aftermath.
Scott has given the horse time to recover and has targeted the Weatherbys Lonsdale Cup at York as his next engagement. Caballo De Mar drops back in trip from two and a half miles to two miles and half a furlong for the Knavesmire test, and the stable believe that a shorter distance and cooler conditions should suit.
Preparation and outlook
The gelding returned to training well after Ascot and Scott elected to bypass Goodwood to concentrate on York. Caballo De Mar had won at Group One level earlier in the season when successful in the Prix Vicomtesse Vigier at ParisLongchamp prior to the Royal meeting.
Scott has been encouraged by the horses work at home and expects him to show a better performance over the slightly shorter trip, particularly if the Knavesmire rides with a bit of cut in the ground. Connections believe Caballo De Mar did too much early on at Ascot and that the Gold Cup effort did not represent his true level.
Opposition and race context
Among those aiming to take the spoils at York is Al Nayyir, who won the Nad Al Sheba Trophy at Meydan and was third in the Lonsdale last year. The eight-year-old, trained by Tom Clover, was narrowly beaten by Vauban in 2024 and added a Group Three success earlier this season.
Clover reports the horse to be in good form and hopes he can go one better after a couple of near-misses in the race previously.
Amiloc is another contender on the card. The Ralph Beckett-trained four-year-old attracted attention with an unusual incident at Goodwood, where he finished his race ahead of Scandinavia after the rider was unseated shortly after the start; the gelding has also contested the Hardwicke at Royal Ascot, finishing sixth to Giavellotto over a mile and a half.
Quickthorn is set to return after an extended absence of nearly two years. Trained by Hughie Morrison, the nine-year-old is described as fragile but talented, and his team are hopeful the ground on the Knavesmire will be suitable for his comeback.
What to expect at York
- Distance and ground:Caballo De Mar steps down in trip, which may help sharpen his finishing kick if the race rides softer than Ascot.
- Recovery from Ascot:Connections have prioritised giving the horse time to recover from the Gold Cup effort and to rebuild confidence in training.
- Experienced rivals:The Lonsdale Cup attracts established stayers, several of whom have previous form at Group level and experience around York.
With a mix of proven performers and horses returning from setbacks or long layoffs, the Weatherbys Lonsdale Cup shapes up as a contest that will test both stamina and tactical speed. For Caballo De Mar, the test at York represents an opportunity to put a difficult Ascot run behind him and to demonstrate the form that earned him black-type success earlier in the season.
