Hawkbill after Grand Prix glory at Saint-Cloud

Racenews

30 June, 2017

Hawkbill bids for a second G1 victory in the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud over a mile and a half at Saint-Cloud, France, on Sunday, July 2.

The Charlie Appleby-trained four-year-old, successful in the G1 Eclipse Stakes over a mile and a quarter last season, has run excellent races over 12 furlongs on his last two starts.

He finished third in the G1 Coronation Cup at Epsom Downs on June 2, having previously made all for a decisive two-length verdict over My Dream Boat in the G3 Al Rayyan Stakes at Newbury on May 20.

The Kitten’s Joy colt returns to Saint-Cloud after coming home fifth behind another Godolphin runner Cloth Of Stars on his seasonal return at the course on May 1 in the G1 Prix Ganay over an extended mile and a quarter.

Hawkbill, the mount of William Buick, opposes nine rivals headed by Zarak, Silverwave and Erupt, who were second, third and fourth in the Prix Ganay.

Charlie Appleby said: ““Hawkbill has taken his run at Epsom Downs well. We were hoping for a bit more rain, which it is still not out of the question according to the forecast, but he goes there in good order.

“We will be going forward with him again. We held him up in the Ganay, when the steady pace didn’t suit, but that was his first run of the season and we haven’t looked back since.

“If he can reproduce his performance in the Coronation Cup, he should be a live contender.”