Two-from-three at Newmarket with his sole defeat coming in the 2015 G1 2000 Guineas, Godolphin's Home of the Brave (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}) returns to his hometown for the first time subsequently as he takes in Saturday's G3 Betway Criterion S. A specialist at this seven-furlong trip, the chestnut was last seen winning the Listed King Richard III S. at Leicester on Apr. 29 and needs the weather to take a turn for the better. “I've been delighted with how Home of the Brave has trained since missing the opportunity to win back-to-back Jury [G3 John of Gaunt] S.,” trainer Hugo Palmer said. “He has a very good record on both Newmarket tracks and, while he has twice finished first on ground softer than good, I'm hoping the ground will continue to dry for him as he has a very low action.”
The royal blue is also sported by last year's G2 Hungerford S. winner Richard Pankhurst (GB) (Raven's Pass), who had Home of the Brave a length back in second in that Newbury contest last August, but he is another who needs a lively surface. “Richard Pankhurst has been off for a long time, so he will benefit for the run and is a better horse on fast ground,” trainer John Gosden commented.
Charlie Appleby is hoping that the Mar. 25 G1 Al Quoz Sprint fourth Jungle Cat (Ire) (Iffraaj {GB}) lasts this extra trip and said, “I am looking forward to seeing how he gets on over seven furlongs, as it might open up a few options for him.”
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