My Dream Boat makes his return at Sandown

Kirby and My Dream Boat after their success at Royal Ascot last year. Picture: Racingfotos.com

My Dream Boat makes his reappearance in the bet365 Gordon Richards Stakes at Sandown on Friday.

The Clive Cox-trained star won the Group 3 prize last year en route to making a big impact in the QIPCO British Champions Series – winning the Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot at the expense of Found, the subsequent Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe winner.

My Dream Boat failed to add to that tally in three outings in the second half of the campaign, but ran a cracker when fourth behind Almanzor, Found and Jack Hobbs in the QIPCO Champion Stakes at Ascot on his final start.

Cox has indicated that the five-year-old, unraced beyond ten furlongs, will also be given the chance to see what he can do over a mile and a half this campaign.

Cox said: “I’m very happy with him, he has done really well over the winter and has had a great preparation. I am looking forward to getting him back on track. Any more rain would be welcome, but I imagine from what I have been told that the ground should be fine.

“He starts this season without a penalty which is great news and hopefully he can build to such heights he achieved last season.

“The way he finished in the Champion Stakes and Irish Champion gives us encouragement he might get further, so he is entered up with all possible options.”

My Dream Boat, who will be ridden by regular partner Adam Kirby, is officially rated at least 4lb superior to his seven rivals in the Gordon Richards Stakes but will not have things all his own way.

Royal Artillery, trained by John Gosden, has the potential to make an impact in the Champions Series this summer, while Ulysses and Deauville are classy customers.

The Sandown card also features the Group 2 bet365 Mile, which could be a pointer to the Queen Anne Stakes, and bet365 Classic Trial, which may offer an Investec Derby clue or two. Three sons of Frankel – Cunco, Frankuus and Monarchs Glen – contest the latter race.