3 minute read

Charlie Appleby’s Ancient Wisdom and Dance Sequence will be targeted at the 2000 and 1000 Guineas in May.

Ancient Wisdom went from strength to strength as a juvenile, winning two novice races before finishing third behind subsequent Group 1 scorer Rosallion in the Listed Pat Eddery Stakes in July. The Dubawi colt was given a couple of months to develop and returned in October, taking the Group 3 Autumn Stakes at Newmarket before relishing heavy ground at Doncaster for a comfortable success in the Group 1 Futurity Stakes.

"Ancient Wisdom won the Futurity on very soft ground and has been held in high regard from very early in his career," said Appleby.

"After getting beaten at Ascot he progressed physically, as you would expect from a Dubawi."

"It's possible there will be slow ground for the Guineas, and we will take a look at that with the view that a mile and a half will prove his forte.

"If I waited for York and the ground was soft, there's not much time left until Derby to put things right should they go wrong, and it would be a more ambitious route to take."

Stablemate Dance Sequence was only seen twice as a juvenile but impressed by winning both outings. She ran green in the closing stages when stepped up in class for the Group 3 Oh So Sharp Stakes over seven furlongs at Newmarket, and could be an exciting prospect for the Classics this year.

"Dance Sequence has done well. William (Buick) sat on her the other day and was delighted. We will take her to the Nell Gwyn and then the English Guineas."