’THINKING’ horse and Breeders’ Cup hero Yibir is bang on target to step up in trip for an audacious crack at next week’s Ascot Gold Cup.
But Ascot’s leading Ribblesdale home Savethelastdance will not be in that big race for Aidan O’Brien.
Yibir is on the Gold Cup trail
The world’s number one trainer Charlie Appleby tells me it is all systems for Yibir to tackle the Royal meeting’s showpiece event.
It promises to be a wide open renewal, made even more so by today’s news that leading hope Haskoy has been retired.
But Yibir will add plenty of spice, being a Breeders’ Cup Turf hero at Del Mar and runner-up to Shahryar in a Sheema Classic in Dubai.
Appleby said: “Yibir is on target for the Gold Cup and it will be interesting stepping up to two and a half miles.
“We have seen how Broome has done stepped up in trip for Aidan (O’Brien) and of course we beat that horse in the Breeders’ Cup.
“If Yibir stays it will be exciting and on pedigree there is no reason why he shouldn’t.”
Yibir has always been a character, and requires a hood to settle him in his races and then he likes to swoop late and fast.
Appleby continued: “He’s been a character since Day 1 – but one with an engine.
“When he puts it together the sky is the limit. He’s a Breeders’ Cu winner and second in a Sheema Classic. He’s not done too much wrong for a horse who has his way of doing things with seven wins and over £3.1million in prize money.
“His running style will help him – he settles well and we are hoping for good, faster summer ground.
“He’ll have a hood on for the race – he does a lot of thinking and can get keen so that helps settles him.”
One horse who will not be at Ascot is Savethelastdance, currently on offer at about 5-1 for the Ribblesdale.
Savethelastdance blew many people’s minds away with a stunning effort in the Cheshire Oaks where she scored by 22 lengths.
However, up in the class for the main event at Epsom, Savethelastdance was unable to get to grips with Soul Sister for all that she ran a huge race in defeat.
When asked if Savethelastdance would be in the Ribblesdale line-up O’Brien said: “No Matt”.
One can only think the Irish Oaks is her next target with Derby hero and stable companion Auguste Rodin on target for the Irish Derby.
