King Torus takes another important step on the comeback trail when he lines up for the Fortune Stakes at Sandown on Wednesday.
The Richard Hannon-trained colt won two Group Two races last season, the Superlative Stakes and the Vintage Stakes, but was off the track for over 10 months after being well beaten in the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere at Longchamp in October.
He has had two races in Listed company this season, winning at Haydock two weeks ago, and sticks to that grade before being upped back in class, should he come through this test.
Owner Sir Robert Ogden’s racing manager Barry Simpson said: “He’s done extremely well and we’re very pleased with him. We’re using this race hopefully as a way forward to going on to something better in the autumn.
“He ran a good race at Haydock, but I still don’t think he performed to his Group Two ability when he won last time. He had been off a while and we’ve got to give the horse every chance. That’s the reason we are keeping him at a slightly lower level until we do step him up.
“If he comes through this test satisfactorily, then we will be looking at a couple of Group races in the autumn. There are plenty of good horses in the race and he’s coming up against older horses, so it is a bit more difficult for him.”
Hannon has been delighted with King Torus since his latest success and told his website: “We would have been disappointed if King Torus had been beaten at Haydock last time, and he might improve again over this stiff uphill finish. He looks as if he is right back to where he was as a two-year-old, and we like him a lot.”
Jim Boyle is hoping The Rectifier can get his head in front for the first time in almost 15 months after several near-misses. Narrowly beaten in two Listed events in the summer, the four-year-old was third to Side Glance in the Group Three Sovereign Stakes at Salisbury on his latest start.
The Epsom trainer said: “He’s in great form and deserves a change of luck. This has been the target since he ran at Salisbury. Conditions look to be ideal for him and he’s in good nick, so hopefully he can get his just reward. It may look frustrating but he has run some great races. Hopefully he can go one better this time.”
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