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• Minor setback could scupper Ascot run for Ami

  Courage Mon Ami is not certain to line up in the Qipco British Champions Long Distance Cup after a minor setback ruled the Ascot Gold Cup winner out of the Prix du Cadran.

  Trained by John and Thady Gosden, the son of Frankel was bought by Wathnan Racing prior to Royal Ascot, providing the Qatari-based operation with their biggest success to date when storming to big-race glory in the hands of Frankie Dettori.

  Having somewhat bounced back from a first defeat in the Goodwood Cup when an honourable second to Coltrane in York’s Lonsdale Cup, connections had their eye on finishing the season at ParisLongchamp on Arc weekend.

  However, he missed his intended trip to France due to a minor setback and although holding an entry for the staying event on Ascot’s British Champions Day card, he will not be rushed for what would be a fitting return to the scene of his finest hour on October 21.

  “He obviously missed France which was annoying because it was niggly, nothing major,” Said Richard Brown, racing advisor to the owners.

  “We’re just going to take him along and see if we can make Ascot.

  “He’s been the flag-bearer for Wathnan in their first season and is obviously a firm favourite, so he won’t be asked to do anything he doesn’t want to do.

  “He will tell us if he’s ready to run or not and if he’s not, we’ll put him away and come back next year.

  “He’s been amazing for us and we’re never going to risk him. We owe him a lot.”

• Dewhurst not ruled out for Middle Park hero Vandeek

  Options remain open for Simon and Ed Crisford’s Vandeek after his superb Middle Park success.

  The Havana Grey colt maintained his flawless record at Newmarket on Saturday, securing an impressive two-and-a-quarter-length victory under James Doyle in the six-furlong Group One.

  That triumph is stacked on top of a winning debut, a Group Two win in the Richmond Stakes at Goodwood and further Group One glory in the Prix Morny at Deauville, meaning he is unbeaten in four starts so far.

  On his first three outings he had encountered soft ground, particularly at Goodwood, but at Newmarket the going was good to firm and in quick conditions he looked even more talented when hitting top gear to leave a smart field in his wake.

  “He was very impressive on Saturday, he showed a really classy turn of foot to put the race to bed going into the dip,” said Chris Wall, racing manager to owners KHK Racing.

  “Up to that point he’d only ever run on soft ground and it had to be seen if he could handle the quicker conditions as well, but actually I think he handled them better.

  “It was a really classy performance and a credit to the Crisfords to have him teed up and ready to go on the day having not run since the middle of August.

  “They hadn’t gone particularly quickly by halfway, visually they didn’t look to be going as strong a gallop as you might expect in a Group One race.

  “The field then quickened in front of him and he’s just shot away from them, it goes to show the raw natural speed that he possesses.”

  Vandeek clearly has ample ability and his performances are further aided by his rock steady temperament as he does little to burn through vital energy ahead of his races.

  “He has the most remarkable temperament, most two-year-old sprinting colts would tend to be a bit buzzy and electric but he’s the very opposite of that,” Wall said.

  “He walks around half asleep most of the time, Andrea Atzeni rode him in Deauville and he warned James Doyle about him. He said ‘the only thing you have to worry about is that you don’t let him fall asleep and fall on his head cantering to the start’.”

  The colt holds an entry for the Dewhurst in mid-October and whilst firm plans have not been made, a return to the Rowley Mile is not ruled out for a late-season step up to seven furlongs.

  “He has an engagement in the Dewhurst but I think nobody is going to commit to that until nearer the time when we can see how the horse is, what the opposition will be, all the usual things. We’re not ruling anything out at this stage.”

• Ghostwriter firing Cox’s winter Classic dreams

  Clive Cox is excited to see what the future holds for Ghostwriter following his taking success in Newmarket’s Royal Lodge Stakes.

  Having impressed in his first two outings, the son of Invincible Spirit took the step up to both a mile and Group Two level in his stride to run out a convincing winner in the hands of Richard Kingscote when up against a useful cast on the Rowley Mile.

  The victory puts the colt in the picture for next year’s Classics, with the youngster as short as 16-1 for both the 2000 Guineas and the Derby and his handler has been delighted with his progress throughout his juvenile campaign.

  “He showed improvement from his first run with how he ran under a penalty at Ascot and this was a bigger step up again,” said Cox.

  “He acquitted himself very impressively and backed up our hopes and thoughts from what we had been seeing at home.”

  Ghostwriter’s Royal Lodge success earns him a spot in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf if connections wish, while he also holds an entry for the Group One Futurity Trophy at Doncaster before the season ends.

  Although refusing to completely rule out those options, Cox is minded to think to the future with his talented prospect and would have no qualms about now taking stock with the Jeff Smith-owned two-year-old and returning next spring with his 100 per cent record intact.

  “I’m pleased to report he has come home well,” continued Cox.

  “We’ll discuss it further with Jeff in the meantime. Most importantly we will follow the horse’s appearance and well-being over the next week or so and that would be the guiding light really.

  “While I am happy with him, I think physically, he has a big frame to mature into even more and I would definitely be inclined to be thinking from a physical point of view he will be a better horse next year and I’m really excited about the future.”

  On the prospect of heading to Santa Anita next month, he added: “I think at this stage of his life that would be a huge step and with his size and scope and being so exciting for the future, I would just be very proud of what he has achieved so far this year.

  “The level of expectation is such an exciting thought going forwards that it is a bigger picture than tomorrow and it is more about thinking further down the line.”

  While Ghostwriter’s career is only just beginning, Cox will bid farewell to the speedster Get Ahead following her fourth-placed finish in the Abbaye as she heads now heads to the paddocks.

  An agonising second in the Flying Five Stakes on her previous start, she was somewhat unfortunate not to finish closer to ParisLongchamp winner Highfield Princess having been short of room at a vital stage.

  “I guess that’s racing sometimes and they don’t run in lanes, but we’re extremely proud of what she has achieved throughout her career,” said Cox.

  “I think to be second in the Flying Five and to back that up amongst some of the best sprinters in the world at Longchamp is quite rewarding and she will be heading to the paddocks now.

  “I’m very proud to have been involved with her and, being related to a Guineas winner (her half-brother is Chaldean), she now has a great record on track to back up her pedigree.

  “She’s a filly that will last long in our memories without a shadow of a doubt.”

  Also heading for a career as a broodmare is Tregony, who was a star of the Racing League last term, but has taken her form to the next level of late and now bows out after a career-best effort to deny New London in the Listed Al Basti Equiworld, Dubai Godolphin Stakes.

  “She’s been impeccable and the courage she displayed on Friday was amazing,” added Cox.

  “We had previously felt she had only just got the mile and a half really, but Saffie (Osborne, jockey) gave her such a wonderful ride and managed to settle her into a perfect rhythm through the race that she was able to display that courage and determination she has always had at a crucial stage.

  “I’m just thrilled she has that winning Listed success to go with her previous black-type placed effort and she’s now bound for the paddocks and will surely be a very exciting broodmare.”