Sands Of Mail on course to defend crown on Champions Day

Sands Of mali and Paul Hanagan after winning on QIPCO British Champions Day last year. Photo Healy Racing / Racingfotos.com

Sands Of Mali is being prepared to repeat last year’s victory in the QIPCO British Champions Sprint Stakes at Ascot next month after being absent since the Royal meeting there.

Trainer Richard Fahey reported the four-year-old to have recovered from the soreness he suffered when well beaten in the King’s Stand Stakes in June.

The Musley Bank handler is confident his top-class sprinter can put that setback behind him on QIPCO British Champions Day.

“He came back from Ascot a bit sore, but he’s grand now and back full in training,” said Fahey. “The race at Ascot will be his target. I’m sure he’ll come back.”