Remote ready to step up to Group class in Tercentenary Stakes

John Gosden’s horses have been running well without quite making the headlines so far this week. He relies on the progressive colt Remote in the Tercentenary Stakes.

There was little indication of what was to come when the son of Dansili finished a well-beaten third at Pontefract in May but he was a different proposition when reappearing at Newbury later that month. Sent off at 25-1, he moved through the field before striding clear to win by three lengths.

His next start was even more impressive as he slammed subsequent York winner Baltic Knight by six lengths over a mile at Doncaster. Both the second and third are highly rated colts so it was a fine performance to leave them trailing in his wake.

Gosden has elected to step him up to Group 3 company after the handicapper gave him a 16lbs hike in the weights for his Doncaster win. The standard for this race is set by Chopin who finished a highly respectable seventh in the Epsom Derby.

There was always a question mark as to whether Chopin would stay the mile and a half at Epsom and this mile and a quarter looks much more suitable. Jamie Spencer will be looking to hold him up for a late run in the colours of Qatar Racing.

Shikarpour also brings classic form to the table after running fifth in the French Derby behind Intello. He was slowly away that day and ran on strongly to be beaten less than five lengths at the line.

Richard Hannon’s Van Der Neer would probably start favourite on the basis of his third in the 2000 Guineas but he showed nothing in the Irish equivalent last time. The son of Dutch Art has always looked as though a mile and a quarter may suit him better.

Indian Chief was a possible for the Epsom Derby prior to finishing only third in the Dante. Aidan O’Brien’s horses are running well this week and he could easily get involved here. Windhoek finished fifth that day and looks held whilst Elkaayed is a progressive colt trained by Roger Varian. He is difficult to assess on an easy win in a three-runner race at Doncaster.