Blue Point puts down marker for top summer sprints

Blue Point made a cracking return to action at Meydan Picture: Racingfotos.com

Blue Point showed he was going to be a force in the top sprints in this year’s QIPCO British Champions Series when making an excellent return to action in Dubai on Thursday.

The Charlie Appleby-trained four-year-old, having his first outing since October, made the top-class/racefit Ertijaal pull out all the stops in the Meydan Sprint over five furlongs – losing out by a short head to the course specialist in a gripping finish.

A rematch in the Al Quoz, back at Meydan on Dubai World Cup night over an extra furlong, is on the cards.

Blue Point’s exploits last year included finishing third behind Caravaggio and Harry Angel in the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot.

Appleby has already indicated that the King’s Stand Stakes will be his target at the royal meeting this year. Bet365 make him 14-1 for that five-furlong feature.

Before the race on Thursday, Appleby had said: “I feel he’s got stronger as he got older and we feel there’s an abundance of speed there. Going forward, the King’s Stand will be the race for him at Royal Ascot.”