Gina Kennedy’s career ambitions have been changed almost overnight after the “game-changing” announcement that squash will finally make its Olympics debut at the 2028 Games.
Squash has been overlooked by the International Olympic Committee at the past three Games, while the sport’s community reacted with incredulity at being ignored in favour of breakdancing for Paris 2024.
But the IOC on Monday green-lit the proposal for squash – alongside cricket, lacrosse, flag football and baseball/softball – to be included on the Olympic schedule at Los Angeles in five years’ time.
Kennedy, the top-ranked British female player in the world, had long ago given up hope this day would come but now that it has, the 26-year-old’s aspirations have been given a welcome shake-up.
She told the PA news agency: “It’s absolutely incredible. When there were rumours flying around last week, it honestly took me by surprise, I had absolutely no idea squash was even being considered.
“I didn’t want to get my hopes up having been in that position before. To wake up today and see that it’s confirmed is a dream come true. I still can’t really believe it because it came out of nowhere.
“I can’t wipe the smile off my face, it’s the best surprise I could have asked for. It’s just such an exciting time, this could be game-changing for us in terms of exposure and everything.
“All my goals are going to completely change now because the Olympics in five years’ time is going to be the number one goal. I’m going to do what I can to keep my body in the best shape.”
Kennedy, who won gold at the 2022 Commonwealth Games and achieved a career-high of sixth in the world rankings last month, believes hers is a sport that has been on the up in recent years.
But she recognises how much of a boost being included on the Olympic programme will be.
She said: “A lot of squash players have been a bit perplexed as to why it’s not been involved (in the past); it’s perfect for the Olympics, it’s a niche sport, it’s a sport people play across the world.
“We’ve definitely felt hard done by in the past, losing out to a few different sports. Maybe the issue has been with the televising of it, it can be a bit difficult, plus if you don’t play squash then the rules can be quite difficult to understand.
“But it has come on leaps and bounds in the past few years and it’s becoming a great sport for TV. Hopefully now more people will be excited to learn about the rules and everything.
“It’s absolutely going to be the pinnacle of our sport. It’s going to be the biggest opportunity we have to expose the sport to the mainstream.”
Kennedy was brought back down to earth from her Commonwealth triumph at Birmingham 14 months ago – where she became the first Englishwoman to win a singles gold medal in her sport – as a torn hamstring in her first event back was followed by a flare-up of her ulcerative colitis condition.
The inflammatory bowel disease – which affects around one in 200 people in the UK – led to Kennedy being hospitalised and bed bound for months, but she has flourished this year.
She added: “It was a massive learning curve for me because the emotions after such a big win like that was quite difficult to explain and I didn’t give my body adequate time to rest.
“I went straight back into tournament mode and my body just completely shut down on me for months. It was difficult, but now I’ve managed to get it under control.”
Shuwari will be pointed towards the Qipco 1000 Guineas, with Ollie Sangster delighted to have unearthed a Classic contender in his first season in the training ranks.
The daughter of New Bay has been the standout performer of Sangster’s Manton-based string during the early stages of his career and capped a fine juvenile campaign by finishing second to Aidan O’Brien’s Ylang Ylang in the Fillies’ Mile at Newmarket.
Shuwari fell victim to the winner’s superior stamina in the closing stages of that Group One event but Sangster was more than happy to come so close to registering a first top-table success as attentions turn to next season.
Sangster said: “It was great and we were delighted. If you could have told me at the start of the season that I would have a horse contesting a Group One, let alone finishing second, I would have been thrilled.
“Obviously, we all want to win and to come so close was tough, but she ran fantastically and gives us a lot to look forward to next year.
“I see us being a miler and I suspect the winner will probably end up getting a bit further. I think in the last 50 yards, Shuwari just got outstayed really.
“You dream to have a horse like this any year, so for one to come along now is just great.”
Another trip to Newmarket for the 1000 Guineas is now firmly on the radar and having had the honour of being the young handler’s first runner in a Group One, she could be his first in one of racing’s crown jewel events when she returns next spring.
However, her route back to the Rowley Mile is still to be finalised, with Newbury’s Fred Darling looking the most likely destination if an early-season tune-up is required.
Sangster added: “Touch wood she can stay healthy through the winter and the spring and hopefully that (the 1000 Guineas) will be on our agenda.
“She’s not a filly I feel I would need to (run before) and she’s kind of straightforward to train, but if I did, I suspect I would probably go for the Fred Darling.
“Newbury is our local track and she also has the course experience already, so I wouldn’t feel the need to go back to Newmarket probably. But equally she could easily go straight there.”
Sangster is also retaining plenty of faith in Per Contra, who after two eye-catching victories in minor events, finished fifth when upped in class for the Autumn Stakes.
“I thought he ran a nice enough race,” continued the trainer.
“Obviously, it was a big step up in class and completely different tempo to what he has had before. In reality, it was sort of his first proper race and his first two races have been fairly non-events where he has won them straightforward.
“He will have learned a lot and I kind of wish he had just got into the race a bit earlier. James (Doyle, jockey) kind of had the revs up the whole way. He made a nice mid-race move and then he just got tired.
“If he had got a tow into the race, he may have finished a bit closer, but in reality, he ran a nice race and hopefully he will have learned a lot for next season.
“He’s a big horse and a horse for next year. I suspect a mile will be his minimum – a mile, mile and a quarter. He’s a big horse and should do very well from two to three over the winter.”
Officials at Ascot have raised the possibility of the inner track being used on Qipco British Champions Day if the expected rainfall later in the week hits the track.
Conditions are currently described as soft at the Berkshire venue, but following a dry weekend the track is bracing itself with estimates of 15-20mm total rainfall forecast from Wednesday onwards.
If that was to come to fruition, then conditions are envisaged to deteriorate to heavy on the round course, which would bring a switch to the inner hurdles track for races such as the Qipco Champion Stakes into the equation – something which happened in 2019 when sections of the course were waterlogged.
“At the moment, we are soft and we’ve got a couple of fine days forecast today and tomorrow up until Wednesday afternoon and then we’re due to get rain/showers from Wednesday afternoon all the way through to racing,” explained clerk of the course Chris Stickles.
“Around 15-20mm is kind of the predicted amount in total from Wednesday through to Saturday but that could change.
“That would be highly likely to prompt a change to the inner track. The race conditions at the moment state that if heavy features in the going description on the round course, then races will move to the inner track.”
Stickels went on: “So that is potentially on the cards and if we had that volume of rain then I would imagine we would be talking about some heavy ground on the round course and therefore those round course races could move to the inner track.
“Of course, we’re not there yet, we’re only soft ground and we haven’t had any rain since Friday. But if we did get that amount, there is the potential.”
Horizon Dore, Mostahdaf, King Of Steel and last year’s winner Bay Bridge are among 11 horses confirmed for the Qipco Champion Stakes at Ascot on Saturday.
Cirrus Des Aigles (2011), Almanzor (2016) and Sealiway (2021) are among the recent French-trained winners of the Champions Day highlight – and having extended his winning streak to four in the Prix Dollar, Patrice Cottier’s Horizon Dore bids to add his name to the roll of honour.
The home team is led by John and Thady Gosden’s Mostahdaf, the Roger Varian-trained King Of Steel and Sir Michael Stoute’s defending champion Bay Bridge.
Mostahdaf demonstrated his top-level capabilities by winning the Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot and the Juddmonte International at York during the summer, but connections will be concerned about the prospect of significant rain later in the week for a horse who prefers fast ground.
King Of Steel, last seen finishing a close-up fourth in the Irish Champion Stakes, is set to be partnered by Frankie Dettori for what could be his final ride in Britain before retirement, while Bay Bridge will step back in distance after finishing sixth in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.
The Gosden team have also confirmed Nashwa, while William Haggas has left in both last year’s third My Prospero and the globetrotting Dubai Honour.
Via Sistina (George Boughey), Royal Rhyme (Karl Burke) and Aidan O’Brien’s pair of Point Lonsdale and Paddington are the other acceptors, although the latter is widely expected to line up in the preceding Queen Elizabeth II Stakes over a mile.
Paddington has been one of the stars of the season for Ballydoyle, winning the Irish 2,000 Guineas, the St James’s Palace Stakes, the Coral-Eclipse and the Sussex Stakes before meeting with defeat for the first time this year when third behind Mostahdaf on the Knavesmire in August.
Among 13 possible rivals this weekend are Dermot Weld’s Irish Guineas, Coronation Stakes and Matron Stakes heroine Tahiyra, Nashwa, her stablemate Inspiral, 2000 Guineas winner Chaldean and the supplemented Angel Bleu.
The afternoon gets under way with the Qipco British Champions Long Distance Cup, which is set to stage a mouthwatering clash between Trueshan and Kyprios.
Alan King’s Trueshan has bounced back from an underwhelming start to his campaign by winning the Doncaster Cup and the Prix du Cadran in the autumn and he now gets the opportunity to land this Group Two prize for the fourth year in succession.
Kyprios won the Gold Cup, the Goodwood Cup and the Irish St Leger in 2022 before registering a remarkable 20-length verdict in the Cadran. He was beaten on his return from nearly a year on the sidelines in the Irish Leger last month, but can be expected to take a significant step forward.
Coltrane is also among 10 hopefuls, but Gold Cup hero Courage Mon Ami is a notable absentee.
Kinross (Ralph Beckett) and Shaquille (Julie Camacho) are two of 18 speedsters to stand their ground for the Qipco British Champions Sprin.
There are also 18 horses in contention for the Qipco British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes including Free Wind (Gosdens), Time Lock (Harry and Roger Charlton), Sea Silk Road (Haggas) and the doubly engaged Via Sistina. Henry de Bromhead has supplemented Group Three winner Term Of Endearment.
The Balmoral Handicap is the concluding race and Lincoln winner Migration, trained by David Menuisier, is at the head of the weights after 32 horses were confirmed.
Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith has revealed he was not surprised to see Frankie Dettori extend his riding career and is relishing the prospect of locking horns with the Italian again when he relocates to California.
Dettori was due to hang up his saddle following a year-long retirement roadshow which started in America last winter and has taken in far-flung places such as Hungary and Sweden during the height of the European summer.
His last day riding in the UK remains scheduled to be Qipco British Champions Day before taking to the road for the Breeders’ Cup, Melbourne Cup and Hong Kong’s valuable international meeting in December.
However, the 52-year-old has U-turned on his decision to retire completely and will head to America to be based out of Santa Anita, as he was during a successful spell earlier in the year which saw him finish second in their jockey standings.
Having seen first hand how well Dettori was riding and enjoying his time in the US, the man who partnered Justify to Triple Crown glory in 2018 is delighted to see his long-time weighing-room rival return Stateside.
“I chose to ride a little longer and if he has done as well then that’s wonderful,” said Smith.
“He was welcomed here with open arms when he came last time and he was an amazing addition to American racing.
“He came in and adapted well and was winning races left and right and was having a really fun time doing it.
“So I can’t say I am shocked and you could say the writing was on the wall a long time ago maybe.
“I say that just because he was having such a good time here and I thought if you stay healthy and in good shape, which he is, then you can keep riding for a good few more years.”
Dettori has highlighted winning the Kentucky Derby as one of his main ambitions for making the switch to America permanently.
And although admitting it may be a tough ask, Smith – who has partnered two winners of the Run for the Roses – believes there is no reason why Dettori can not stumble across a Churchill Downs candidate while still riding at the peak of his powers.
He added: “Winning the Derby is hard and whether that is winning the Derby here or a Derby in Europe.
“It’s extremely hard, but it can be done and for a rider with his talent, it’s not like you need to get to know him. He’s already proven he rides the dirt every bit as good as he rides the grass and all it takes is one good opportunity on a really good horse – and we all know what a good horse can do for a jockey.”
The 58-year-old Smith is also embracing the chance to ride against his slightly younger rival once again and cannot wait to welcome him back into the US weighing room.
He explains how he understands Dettori’s decision to continue riding, admitting he has no desire to hang up his own saddle while still enjoying the thrill of competition.
“There’s nothing like great competition with great, wonderful people. It makes you rise to the occasion and makes you a better rider yourself. I look forward to him coming,” continued Smith.
“He always brings excitement to the jocks room wherever he goes, he’s fun to have around. It’s going to be great and I’m happy for him. As long as he’s happy and it’s what he wants to do, then I’m all for it.
“At my age, and I’m older than he is, I’m enjoying it every bit now as I did back then.
“I don’t ride as many as I used to, but you can still ride quality and there’s just nothing quite like riding a wonderful horse – and the only way you will get that feeling is to be on one and doing it.
“When you do hang it all up, you will never feel that again, so I’m going to hang on as long as possible myself.”
Both Jamaica and Honduras are on their way to the 2023-24 Concacaf Nations League quarterfinals after claiming victories against Haiti and Cuba, respectively, while Suriname staved off relegation by downing Grenada on the final match day of Group B of League A.
Jamaica clinched the top spot in Group B by rallying for a 3-2 victory over Haiti at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago. Jamaica finished in first place with 10 points to book their quarterfinal spot, while Haiti finishes with three points and has been relegated to League B.
It was an ideal start for Haiti, as they grabbed a 1-0 lead in the 15th minute through Frantzdy Pierrot, who polished off a quick counterattack with a header into goal off a cross from Fafa Picault.
But Jamaica would strike right back just a few minutes later in the 18th to even the score at 1-1, with Demarai Gray taking advantage of a misplayed clearance from the Haitian defense.
It stayed level going into the second half when things began to tilt in Jamaica’s favor. The Reggae Boyz started to take control and seized a 2-1 lead in the 57th when a cross from Michail Antonio reached the boots of Shamar Nicholson, whose shot squeezed past Haiti’s goalkeeper Jhony Placide for the goal.
Jamaica kept moving forward in search of an insurance score and it dutifully arrived in the 66th thanks to Leon Bailey, who slipped past the Haitian defense onside to receive a free kick and finish past Placide for a 3-1 Jamaica lead.
Haiti refused to give up though, and Pierrot made it a 3-2 affair in the 87th by heading in a corner kick.
But the spoils belonged to Jamaica, as they avoided any stoppage time drama to pocket the victory.
Honduras vs. Cuba
In a must-win match for both sides, Honduras topped Cuba 4-0 at the Estadio Nacional Chelato Ucles in Tegucigalpa, Honduras to qualify for the quarterfinals. Honduras finish second in the group with seven points, while Cuba complete their campaign in third-place with five points.
Honduras could not have asked for a better start, as they scored early in the 9th to help settle any nerves, with Denil Maldonado spearing home a header at the far post off a cross from the left flank.
Honduras were flying and quickly it became 2-0 to the home side in the 13th, as a Cuba giveaway led to a quick break and a pass into Antony Lozano, who finished past Cuba’s goalkeeper Raiko Arozarena.
The Catrachos kept their foot on the gas into the second half and stretched the lead to 3-0 in the 67th through Romell Quioto, who calmly converted a penalty after Alberth Elis was fouled in the area during a corner kick.
Honduras then added a late goal for good measure, with Bryan Rochez finishing from inside the area in the 90th to complete the 4-0 score-line.
Suriname vs. Grenada
Four first-half goals powered Suriname to their first victory of their CNL campaign in a 4-0 final versus Grenada at the Dr. Ir. Franklin Essed Stadion in Paramaribo, Suriname.
Suriname complete the 2023-24 CNL with five points and have avoided relegation with the win, while Grenada finish with one point and have been relegated to League B.
Djevencio van der Kust opened the scoring for the home side in the 12th minute with a left-footed laser from outside the area to make it 1-0 to Suriname.
The home side kept things rolling and the lead was doubled to 2-0 in the 27th when 2019-20 CNL top scorer Gleofilo Vlijter found the back of the net by turning in a rebound after a Van der Kust shot hit the crossbar.
Suriname stayed on the front foot and the scoreboard read 3-0 in the 35th thanks to Leo Abena, who was able to squeeze a shot in over the line after Grenada goalkeeper Jason Belfon had made a save moments prior.
Suriname then tacked on a fourth in the final moments of the first half, this time via an own goal from Grenada’s Jacob Bedeau, who accidentally deflected a deep Suriname cross into his own net for a 4-0 Suriname lead.
The second half saw Suriname calmly see things out despite a few looks from Grenada to secure the precious victory to keep themselves in League A for another campaign.
John Quinn has confirmed Highfield Princess will sidestep a trip to the Breeders’ Cup in favour of a tilt at the Hong Kong Sprint in December.
The popular mare won three times at Group One level last season – landing the Prix Maurice de Gheest, the Nunthorpe and the Flying Five Stakes – before rounding off her campaign with a creditable fourth place finish in the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint at Keeneland in November.
She was beaten in her first three starts of this season and had to make do with the runner-up spot behind the Breeders’ Cup-bound Live In The Dream when defending her Nunthorpe crown in August, but was last seen adding to her top-level tally in the Prix de l’Abbaye at ParisLongchamp a fortnight ago.
Connections considered a possible second tilt at Breeders’ Cup glory, but Highfield Princess will instead be readied for a first assignment in the Far East.
“All being well, we’re going to go to Hong Kong with her,” said Quinn.
“It gives the mare a bit longer, which is probably the main thing. It’s six furlongs in Hong Kong and the ground can be rattling hard in America – at Santa Anita it can be like the road. We just thought all in all we’d plump for Hong Kong.
“She’s come out of the Abbaye well, she’s in great nick so we’re happy. We just want to keep her in good form and have her in good nick and we’ll give it a twirl.”
Charlie Longsdon’s much-loved staying chaser Snow Leopardess has been retired.
The mare was a unique figure amongst National Hunt horses as she had a foal in the earlier stages of her career and then returned to training.
The grey was owned by the Fox-Pitt family and bred by Marietta Fox-Pitt, mother of event rider William and mother-in-law to broadcaster and former rider Alice Plunkett.
Snow Leopardess won nine times throughout her career, including in bumpers, over hurdles and fences.
Those victories included a Listed win in the Virgin Bet Mares’ Chase at Exeter and a memorable Grade Three triumph after a fantastic round of jumping in the 2021 Becher Chase.
She was also narrowly beaten in both the Haydock Grand National Trial and Wetherby’s Rowland Meyrick Handicap Chase, as well as latterly turning her hand to the cross-country course at Cheltenham.
“She’s retired now, she’s back home and she just didn’t owe us anything,” Longsdon said.
“She had a few soundness issues at the end but she’s just been the most amazing servant.
“She’s with Mrs Fox Pitt, Alice’s mother-in-law, and she’ll go to stud in the spring.
“All good things have to come to an end. They were amazing days, a lot of fun.”
The foal Snow Leopardess had during the break in her career was a filly by Sir Percy named Red Panda, who is in training with Longsdon and will make her bumper debut in the early stages of the season.
“We’ve got her daughter in training now and hopefully we’ll have more of her family in years to come,” the trainer said.
“Red Panda is only a youngster and she’ll probably start in a bumper in a month or six weeks’ time.”
England-born player Rhea Dixon is one of two newcomers selected in Jamaica’s Sunshine Girls squad for the 2023 Fast5 Netball World Series set for Christchurch, New Zealand from November 11-12, 2023.
The recalled Abbeygail Linton is the other 'newcomer' in the team that will led by Romelda Aiken-George with Adean Thomas as her vice-captain. Notably, the team will be without veterans Jhaniele Fowler, Latanya Wilson and Shamera Sterling.
Dixon, who represented England at the U21 level will be making her Sunshine Girls debut after expressing an interested in representing Jamaica for some time, Netball Jamaica Vice President Simone Forbes explained to Sportsmax.TV. She qualifies to represent Jamaica via her grandmother, who is Jamaican.
She has played for the Leeds Rhinos and Super Netball League outfit Loughborough Lightning in the United Kingdom. Standing at 1.80m (5’ 11”), the soon-to-be 26-year-old Dixon can play as goal-shooter, goal-attack and wing-attack.
Linton was selected in the Sunshine Girls squad that played against New Zealand in 2016.
The remainder of the team is comprised of Gezelle Allison, who returns to the set up after giving birth to her first child earlier this year, Theresa Beckford, Amanda Pinkney, Crystal Plummer, Kimone Shaw and Abigale Sutherland.
Hughie Morrison’s One For Bobby is set for an outing on Qipco British Champions Day – but conditions will dictate if Stay Alert joins her stablemate in the line-up for the British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes at Ascot.
The Berkshire track will be a fitting place for the four-year-old to end a successful season as it is the place her breeder Frank Dunne saddled the great Stanerra to register a Royal Ascot double in 1983.
She has won twice in four starts since joining Morrison ahead of the 2023 campaign and having secured Listed honours at Nottingham on her stable bow, she added a Group Three at Vichy in the summer.
One For Bobby was last seen finishing well held in the Prix Jean Romanet at Deauville but her handler is now prepared to give the daughter of Frankel another opportunity at Group One level.
“She didn’t run her race the other day at Deauville and had a sore foot,” said Morrison.
“If we got her back to form, she might surprise a few people. I think she will get the one-mile-four, whether she is over the top or not we will find out on the day.
“She has got a Group and Listed win and that was what we were asked to do. She won at Nottingham and then won in France.”
On the potential participation of Stay Alert, Morrison added: “She’s a possible, but you wouldn’t want too much more rain.”
King Cuan has proven a real moneyspinner for Paddy Twomey this season and bagged another big pot in the Irish EBF Auction Series Race Final at Naas.
Since finishing fourth when a beaten favourite on his debut, he has subsequently won at Cork before landing the Goffs Sportsman’s Challenge at this venue.
Chasing the €70,800 first prize, Billy Lee always looked in command on the 4-5 favourite and while the 100-1 outsider Duplantis closed to within a head, the post came in time.
“The fun he’s after giving that syndicate has been brilliant. That roar you wouldn’t usually get on the Flat and it’s a nice welcome back,” said Lee.
“The race didn’t go as smooth as I wanted – I thought they would go a bit more of a gallop and I was trapped wide. I just tried to keep it as simple as possible.
“I knew I was probably on the best horse in the race, he’s cruised there and picked up to win well. He was just getting a bit lonely in front and on that ground you are never going to be ultra impressive.
“He gets seven well which opens up options for next year. He’s a game little horse.”
Jessica Harrington is enjoying a good end to the season and her Curvature (13-2) made every yard of the running in the Listed Irish Stallion Farms EBF Garnet Stakes.
Sent into an early lead by Garry Carroll, the three-year-old had gone close in a similar event at Listowel last time out and proved a determined filly.
William Haggas’ raider Good Gracious burst out of the pack to challenge but could never quite get on terms.
“She loves that if she can get onto the lead and she’s learning now,” said Harrington. “She was too fresh in Listowel as she hadn’t run for a while but today she was really good and it’s great to get that big black type.
“She was only cruising in front but it’s a long way home here in the straight and she kept on really well.”
Dancing Tango came from almost last to win the second Listed race on the card, the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Bluebell Stakes.
Joseph O’Brien’s other runner Goodie Two Shoes looked to be going best two furlongs out but faded badly.
Azazat took over at the head of affairs but deep inside the final furlong Dylan Browne McMonagle brought the 13-2 chance with a real rattle to win going away.
“Things didn’t really go to plan out of the gates. I was in first and in there a long time and I’d planned to be in the first quarter if possible. We knew she stays well and she handles this ground,” said McMonagle.
“I was a little bit sluggish away and the pace was strong for the first five or six furlongs even for the grade we were in. I let her find her feet and I knew she would come home well, it was just a matter of getting a clean run.
“She’s an improving filly and deserves her success in this grade and was really tough today.”
Bravemansgame is likely to reappear in the Betfair Chase at Haydock before defending his King George VI Chase crown on Boxing Day.
Champion trainer Paul Nicholls will consider the Charlie Hall at Wetherby for his first run, which he won last season, but at this stage is favouring the Grade One on Merseyside on November 25.
The eight-year-old was the only horse to give Galopin Des Champs a fright in the Gold Cup and then got much closer to him at Punchestown, only for them both to be beaten by Fastorslow.
“It is highly likely he will start this season in the Betfair Chase at Haydock which has been a brilliant race for me with horses like Kauto Star and Silviniaco Conti and the timing is ideal ahead of the King George VI Chase at Kempton,” said Nicholls.
“He is ticking over and could be ready for the Charlie Hall at Wetherby if the ground was suitable but we are leaning towards Haydock. It is an extremely valuable pot and Bravemansgame has won at the track.
“The ground at Wetherby was only just ok for him last year and we don’t want to be taking any chances. To keep our options open, we will probably give him an entry, too, in the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury. It would be a tough ask for him off a mark of 172 but Denman won it off 174.”
One who could take in the Wetherby race is stablemate Pic D’Orhy, who won four of his five races last season, with his only defeat coming behind Shishkin in the Ascot Chase.
“I’m keen to step him up in trip and am getting him ready for the Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby if the ground is suitable,” Nicholls told Betfair.
“He is bred to stay three miles and is always keeping on at the end of his races. Then we will probably look at the Peterborough Chase. If he does stay three miles, it will open up more doors for him.”
Stage Star was another star for the stable last term and Cheltenham in November is on his radar.
“He isn’t the easiest to place but is brilliant fresh and goes straight to the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham. We will then make a plan with the Ryanair Chase at the Festival a likely target in the spring. I don’t rule out a step up to three miles for him at some stage,” said Nicholls.
Guyana defeated Puerto Rico to take a stronger hold of first place in Group D of League B as the 2023–24 Concacaf Nations League continued on Saturday.
Omari Glasgow obtained his fifth goal this season to become the sole leader atop the scoring chart in League B. Guyana’s victory gives it a three-point gap over second-place Puerto Rico with a repeat encounter coming on Tuesday.
Javorn Stevens earned a brace to give Antigua and Barbuda its first three points. The Bahamas continues searching for its first point as it moves down to last place in the group.
Guyana came back to win 3-1 against Puerto Rico at the SKNFA Training Centre in Basseterre, Saint Kitts and Nevis.
Both teams entered this match undefeated in the group and it was Puerto Rico who took the lead in the 11th minute on a goal from Leandro Antonetti. Darren Rios supplied the cross past the right post to find Antonetti for his first goal of the tournament.
Antonetti nearly extended the lead in the 47th but his attempt inside the box curled just past the top post.
Quillan Roberts came up with a big stop on Rios in the 56th to keep the score line within reach for Guyana. Glasgow tied the match in the 60th from the penalty spot after Kelsey Benjamin was brought down inside the box on the previous play.
Benjamin then gave Guyana the lead in the 63rd after capitalizing on a drive into the box by Liam Gordon.
Deon Moore put Guyana up by another in the 85th after stripping goalkeeper Joel Serrano and slotting home the goal that would secure the victory for the away side.
Bahamas vs. Antigua and Barbuda
Meanwhile, Antigua and Barbuda earned their first win of its campaign with a 4-1 result against the Bahamas at the Thomas A. Robinson Stadium in Nassau, Bahamas.
Javorn Stevens opened the scoring in the third minute with a header inside the box. Raheem Deterville was key in winning an aerial ball to set up the assist from Joshua Parker.
Stevens didn’t have to wait long to get his brace after striking again in the ninth on a counterattack. Dion Pereira intercepted the ball to set up Stevens on the breakaway.
Thomas James Bramble increased the lead in the 43rd after stripping a defender and proceeding to strike from inside the penalty arc.
A thrown-in provided the opportunity for the Bahamas to get on the board in the 62nd as Wood Julmis converted off the service inside the box.
Antigua and Barbuda kept pressing for another goal and earned a penalty past the midway point of the second half. Quinton Griffith converted from the spot in the 77’ to regain the three-goal lead.
Connections of Facteur Cheval are eager to see more rainfall at Ascot ahead of his tilt at the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes on Qipco British Champions Day.
Jerome Reynier’s ultra-consistent performer is yet to finish outside the first three in five outings this term, beaten less than two lengths on each occasion, with his last three appearances coming at Group One level.
The Facteur Cheval team are looking forward to another crack at Paddington having been short of room when second to Aidan O’Brien’s prolific winner in the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood.
“It’s the plan and he could run on any type of surface, but he’s better with some give in the ground and the wetter the better, like when he won the Prix Perth at Saint-Cloud,” said Barry Irwin, CEO of Team Valor, who own the horse in partnership with Gary Barber.
“We have skipped some other races he could have run in waiting for the race next weekend figuring it would be really wet again.”
If the ground is quicker than Facteur Cheval ideally likes, connections will use it as a guide to next year.
Irwin added: “I think at this point we’re looking at it as much, if not more, as a test to see how he handles that (quicker) going at this point of his life, as our goal next year is the Dubai Turf. This will be a good test to see how he handles that type of track.
“That mile up the straight at Ascot is more like a mile and eighth and that’s the distance of the Dubai Turf.
“That’s what we’re looking at and whether we are going to have a big impact on this race now – and unless we get lucky and the ground turns very soft – that is something we’re a bit concerned about obviously.”
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