3 minute read

Charlie Appleby has identified the Park Stakes at Doncaster in September as the most likely starting point for Charming Thought.

Last year's Middle Park Stakes winner has not been seen this season after suffering a setback in March during his preparation for the 2000 Guineas.

Having recently stepped up his work at home, the Newmarket handler has provisionally pencilled in the seven-furlong Group Two contest for Charming Thought's comeback.

Appleby said: "Charming Thought is back cantering and the plan is to aim him at the Park Stakes at Doncaster.

"He looks a totally different horse to look at compared to how he was in the spring.

"Hopefully it will be the springboard to an autumn campaign, where we will look forward to getting him ready for Champions Day.

"This race will tell us if we run him over six furlongs or step him up to a mile on Champions Day."

Although Charming Thought missed Royal Ascot, Appleby claims a trip to the prestigious meeting would have been unlikely even if things had panned out differently.

He said: "There is never a great time to get a setback with a horse but with the ground the way it was at Ascot, he wouldn't have been running there so he has not really missed anything.

"Although Ivawood let the Middle Park form down by running disappointingly at Royal Ascot, up until then he had run well in both Guineas, which was nice to see.

"We know we have got a good horse on our hands and he is very much a horse we are looking forward to running in the second half of the season."