Listed Heron S.

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-pedigreed horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Thursday's Observations features the return of a half-brother to the outstanding Frankel (GB). 20.12 Sandown, Listed, £45,000, 3yo, 8fT KIKKULI (GB) (Kingman {GB}) takes his chance in this Listed Chasemore Farm Stud Staff Heron S., which has come to serve as a key staging post en route to the...

William Haggas's stable is in scintillating form at present and Sunderland Holding's My Prospero (Ire) (Iffraaj {GB}) further emphasised that with success in Thursday's Listed Heron S. at Sandown. Sent off the 7-4 joint-favourite alongside the returning G3 Solario S. winner Reach For the Moon (GB) (Sea the Stars {Ire}), the Apr. 16 Newbury maiden winner was settled in third early by Tom Marquand as the other market-leader set off in front. Wound up in early straight, the homebred half-brother to Wednesday's 12-length Listed Rothesay S. winner My Astra (Ire)...

The Queen's Reach For The Moon (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), who will not point to the G1 Cazoo Derby, has been entered in Thursday's Listed Coral Heron S. at Sandown instead. A runner for John and Thady Gosden, the colt won the G3 Solario S. as a juvenile. He will face his stablemate, Cheveley Park Stud's imposing Group 1 winner Inspiral (GB) (Frankel {GB}), in that contest.

Cartier Champion 2-Year-Old Filly Inspiral (GB) (Frankel {GB}), who will miss the G1 QIPCO 1000 Guineas on May 1, will instead make her next start in the Listed Coral Heron S. at Sandown Park on May 19. Four-for-four at two including a victory in the G1 bet365 Fillies' Mile at Newmarket in October, Inspiral missed several days of training in the lead up to the Guineas. Royal Ascot's G1 Coronation S. in June is the long-term target for the Cheveley Park homebred. John Gosden, who trains the filly with his...

Sandown's Listed Heron S. on Thursday offered some Royal Ascot clues, with Shadwell's Mostahdaf (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) maintaining his unbeaten record on his first try on turf for the John and Thady Gosden stable. Having scored on debut on Newcastle's Tapeta Mar. 16 and over this mile trip on Kempton's Polytrack Apr. 5, the half-brother to last year's G1 Sun Chariot S., G1 Falmouth S. and G2 Duke of Cambridge S. heroine Nazeef (GB) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) was restrained in rear early by Jim Crowley having been drawn widest of...