Ruling Court to step up in trip after Ascot defeat
Charlie Appleby's 2000 Guineas hero was slated for an immediate leap up to a mile and a half for the Derby before being withdrawn on the day at Epsom and subsequently remained at a mile for an all-star rematch with Newmarket runner-up Field Of Gold in the St James's Palace Stakes.
However, after seeing his Rowley Mile rival turn around the Guineas form in style, Appleby is now relishing the next stage of his career up in distance, despite also being eager to see how the cards fall into place before playing his hand.
'We're very much letting the dust settle but the signs are he has very much come out of the race well,' said Appleby.
'We'll see where respective winners from the whole meeting go in respects to where we may head. Ombudsman was of course very impressive in the Prince of Wales's Stakes and it will be interesting to see where John and Thady (Gosden) steer him towards.
'We've mooted an Eclipse with our fellow but I'm not afraid of going straight up to a mile and a half which we were going to do in the Derby and we have got the option of the Grand Prix de Paris.
'It's your last option against three-year-olds so that could be a nice race to take a look at, but we'll let a bit more dust settle before we confirm a plan.'
While Ruling Court may be heading up in distance, it appears likely Appleby's other Classic scorer Desert Flower will be dropping back in trip after her third at Epsom in the Oaks.
Sent off the 11-10 favourite after a sublime performance on her return in the 1000 Guineas, the challenge of Epsom on rain-softened ground ultimately proved too much, with the Moulton Paddocks handler happy to give her as much time as necessary to recover from her Oaks exertions.
'You know she's had a race at Epsom for sure and as I've said previously the ground and the track were the undoing of us,' added Appleby.
'It might have looked like she stayed but I don't think she did being brutally honest, or didn't stay well enough for that level.
'I'm going to give her a little bit of time and there's plenty of options for her at a mile and a mile and a quarter. She's a filly who owes us nothing and for now we will give her plenty of time.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
North Wales Chronicle
an hour ago
- North Wales Chronicle
Ombudsman heightening excitement for Walker with Almaqam
Almaqam impressively made all at Sandown to see off John and Thady Gosden's performer, but with Walker deciding to wait for more suitable ground rather than head to the Royal meeting with his talented four-year-old, the door was left open for Ombudsman to boost the Esher result. which now looks red hot. 'It looked a very strong renewal of the Brigadier Gerard, Ombudsman has come out and confirmed he's a smart horse and hopefully we can do soon,' said Walker, who enjoyed a tremendous time at the Royal meeting with two winners and Do Or Do Not beaten only by Gstaad in the Coventry Stakes. 🥊 Almaqam vs Ombudsman! Classy performance from Almaqam to land the G3 Brigadier Gerard Stakes @edwalkerracing | @oismurphy | @Sandownpark | @StarSports_Bet — Racing TV (@RacingTV) May 29, 2025 'It's an exciting result to see for us, but you have to remember Sandown was Ombudsman's first run of the season and he was carrying a 3lb penalty. He loomed up like he was going to be a threat and John and Thady will know more than me, but it felt like he needed the run slightly carrying a penalty on easy ground. 'It is exciting and I think we all felt at Sandown the first two were very smart horses.' After quick ground scuppered any designs of turning up in the Prince of Wales's Stakes for Almaqam himself, Walker is now left searching for ideal conditions buoyant he has plenty to look forward to. 'It's all ground dependent and we will have him in everything and take our pick,' added Walker on future plans. 'He'll be in everything at a mile and a quarter, but I wouldn't rule out going a mile and a half as well. We have put him in the Princess of Wales's Stakes at Newmarket (July 10) over a mile and a half, so we will see where the ground will suit.'
Leader Live
2 hours ago
- Leader Live
Ombudsman heightening excitement for Walker with Almaqam
Almaqam impressively made all at Sandown to see off John and Thady Gosden's performer, but with Walker deciding to wait for more suitable ground rather than head to the Royal meeting with his talented four-year-old, the door was left open for Ombudsman to boost the Esher result. which now looks red hot. 'It looked a very strong renewal of the Brigadier Gerard, Ombudsman has come out and confirmed he's a smart horse and hopefully we can do soon,' said Walker, who enjoyed a tremendous time at the Royal meeting with two winners and Do Or Do Not beaten only by Gstaad in the Coventry Stakes. 🥊 Almaqam vs Ombudsman! Classy performance from Almaqam to land the G3 Brigadier Gerard Stakes @edwalkerracing | @oismurphy | @Sandownpark | @StarSports_Bet — Racing TV (@RacingTV) May 29, 2025 'It's an exciting result to see for us, but you have to remember Sandown was Ombudsman's first run of the season and he was carrying a 3lb penalty. He loomed up like he was going to be a threat and John and Thady will know more than me, but it felt like he needed the run slightly carrying a penalty on easy ground. 'It is exciting and I think we all felt at Sandown the first two were very smart horses.' After quick ground scuppered any designs of turning up in the Prince of Wales's Stakes for Almaqam himself, Walker is now left searching for ideal conditions buoyant he has plenty to look forward to. 'It's all ground dependent and we will have him in everything and take our pick,' added Walker on future plans. 'He'll be in everything at a mile and a quarter, but I wouldn't rule out going a mile and a half as well. We have put him in the Princess of Wales's Stakes at Newmarket (July 10) over a mile and a half, so we will see where the ground will suit.'
Glasgow Times
3 hours ago
- Glasgow Times
Ombudsman heightening excitement for Walker with Almaqam
Almaqam impressively made all at Sandown to see off John and Thady Gosden's performer, but with Walker deciding to wait for more suitable ground rather than head to the Royal meeting with his talented four-year-old, the door was left open for Ombudsman to boost the Esher result. which now looks red hot. 'It looked a very strong renewal of the Brigadier Gerard, Ombudsman has come out and confirmed he's a smart horse and hopefully we can do soon,' said Walker, who enjoyed a tremendous time at the Royal meeting with two winners and Do Or Do Not beaten only by Gstaad in the Coventry Stakes. 'It's an exciting result to see for us, but you have to remember Sandown was Ombudsman's first run of the season and he was carrying a 3lb penalty. He loomed up like he was going to be a threat and John and Thady will know more than me, but it felt like he needed the run slightly carrying a penalty on easy ground. 'It is exciting and I think we all felt at Sandown the first two were very smart horses.' After quick ground scuppered any designs of turning up in the Prince of Wales's Stakes for Almaqam himself, Walker is now left searching for ideal conditions buoyant he has plenty to look forward to. Ombudsman was a brilliant winner at Royal Ascot (David Davies/PA) 'It's all ground dependent and we will have him in everything and take our pick,' added Walker on future plans. 'He'll be in everything at a mile and a quarter, but I wouldn't rule out going a mile and a half as well. We have put him in the Princess of Wales's Stakes at Newmarket (July 10) over a mile and a half, so we will see where the ground will suit.'
