Ascot return for Sound And Silence in Pavilion Stakes

Sound And Silence returns to Ascot, UK, for his first start of 2018 in the G3 Pavilion Stakes over six furlongs on Wednesday, 2 May. 

The three-year-old Exceed And Excel colt ran on gamely to beat Roussel by a neck in the five-furlong Listed Windsor Castle Stakes at the course’s Royal Meeting in June last year.

He gained a decisive victory in the G3 Prix Eclipse over a furlong further on heavy ground at Maisons-Laffitte, France, in September and enjoyed another two successes in 2017.

Sound And Silence battled on well when the neck second to Abel Handy in the five-furlong G3 Cornwallis Stakes at Newmarket the following month.

He was also narrowly beaten in the Juvenile Turf Sprint over five furlongs at Del Mar, USA, in November and most recently finished fourth in a six-furlong Tapeta conditions race at Wolverhampton in December. 

William Buick partners Sound And Silence, who is drawn in stall seven of the eight runners.  Rivals include dual G2 runner-up Invincible Army, French G2 winner Fighting Irish and Abel Handy. 

Trainer Charlie Appleby commented: “Sound And Silence was a consistent horse last year and has done very well from two to three - he has strengthened and looks like a real sprinter. 

“It was a muddling race on his last start at Wolverhampton and came at the end of a long campaign for Sound And Silence, who had been on the go since April. 

“He has form on soft ground and this looks a nice starting point for his season.”