Creative Force searches for back-to-back Sprint’s

Charlie Appleby will saddle two strong candidates in the £500,000 QIPCO British Champions Sprint, with last year’s winner Creative Force set to be joined by his stable-mate and old rival Naval Crown in what promises to be another thrilling renewal.

Creative Force was giving Appleby a first QIPCO British Champions Day success when beating the 2020 winner Glen Shiel by a length here last year in the hands of champion jockey elect William Buick. He had earlier beaten Naval Crown decisively in the seven-furlong Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot, but his stable-mate had his revenge when the pair met again in this year’s Platinum Jubilee Stakes, in which they were separated by just a neck, ahead of international sprinters Artorius and Campanelle.

Both have been beaten since, but Appleby believes he has them back in peak condition. Their best form is as good as any on offer in what looks a competitive field.

Appleby said: “They both galloped on the Rowley Mile last weekend. Last time they ran on ground that was quick enough, and I wanted them to go to the track again to enjoy themselves and know that it’s not going to be rattling quick going every time they go to the races.

“They had a lovely gallop and came out of it in great order. You can see visually that they are both in A1 condition.”

Richard Fahey’s Middle Park Stakes and Commonwealth Cup winner Perfect Power, whose BHA rating of 117 puts him on a par with Creative Force and just a pound behind Naval Power, is another reportedly back in top form after recent defeats. 

The owner’s racing manager Bruce Raymond, who hopes to have secured the services of Tom Marquand in place of the suspended Christophe Soumillon, said: “I haven’t seen him for a month, but I get regular videos of his work and he looked good the other day. He looks a million dollars so we are hopeful. He likes Ascot and the more rain the better. He’s a fresh horse and he’ll have a great chance if he gets his ground.”

The 19 possibles who were confirmed on Monday include Tim Easterby’s Art Power, an impressive Group 3 winner at The Curragh last month and often thereabouts in top sprints, including when fourth here a year ago, and the David Evans-trained dual Wokingham Handicap winner Rohaan, who was down the field here in 2021 but confirmed his liking for the track when a Group 3 winner earlier this month.

Ralph Beckett’s impressive Qatar Prix de la Foret winner Kinross, who would be chasing four wins in a row, could drop back in distance, as could Aidan O’Brien’s 2021 Cheveley Park Stakes winner Tenebrism, who has also been confirmed for the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (sponsored by QIPCO) but is thought more likely to run here. Hugo Palmer’s Brad The Brief, who won both of his races on his favoured easy going in the spring, is another key contender.