WATCH | Inside the yard: Tom Fanshawe on Kind Of Blue
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FIRST's roving racing reporter Graham Clark has been inside the yard with trainer Tom Fanshawe, discussing Kind Of Blue's form ahead of the 2.10 JenningsBet Chipchase Stakes on Saturday.
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Connections of top-class sprinter Kind Of Blue believe the JenningsBet Chipchase Stakes at Newcastle on Saturday is the perfect place to get his career back on track.
The James Fanshawe-trained four-year-old signed off last season with a breakthrough victory at the top level - in the Qipco British Champions Sprint at Ascot in October.
However, things failed to go to plan on his comeback when dropped back down to five furlongs for the first time in the Group Three Prix du Gros-Chene at Chantilly earlier this month.
But despite the son of Blue Point failing to beat a rival on that occasion, his connections believe a line can be drawn through that run, and expect to see a much bolder show on his return to six furlongs in the £90,000 Group Three test.
Tom Fanshawe, son and assistant trainer, said: “It was a great day for everyone here when he won the Champions Sprint at Ascot as it was our first Group One since 2020.
“We were trying to get a run in before Royal Ascot and we were running out of options so we went to France, where he ran without a penalty.
“It was one of those races you just have to put a line through. He was in the stalls quite a while and he was just about in a rhythm, but just as they were about to jump, Ponntos, next door to him, charged the gates and he reared up.
“As he has done that the gates have gone and he has missed the kick. As a result of it being his first run of the season, it has meant we have been able to get onto it quickly and iron out any potential stall issues.
“He has been to Craig Witheford (starting stall expert) and he has been good, so we are looking forward to Newcastle now.
“The track should play to his strengths here and fingers crossed we get a smooth transition in running."
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Missing a meeting like Royal Ascot with a horse as talented as Kind Of Blue is never ideal, however it is hoped that taking an easier approach now can be rewarded later on in the campaign.
Fanshawe added: “It is never an easy decision to miss Royal Ascot, but as we got closer to the race we spoke to Richard Brown (racing advisor to Wathnan Racing) and the feeling was you have to go into Royal Ascot one hundred percent happy.
“Having not had the best of prep runs into Ascot this was probably the most logical thing to do to take small steps in getting him back to the top level.
“His work has been very good, and we were happy with him at home, but having things not go our way in France it seemed more logical going to the Chipchase.
“We will find out where we stand after Saturday and it will guide us where we go next.
“The Champions Sprint at Ascot is probably the main aim, as is the Sprint Cup at Haydock Park, but where we go in between we will decide after Saturday.”
Joining Kind Of Blue on the long trip north to Newcastle will be his stablemate, and lead horse Fresh, who will tackle the JenningsBet 200 Shops Nationwide Handicap.
However, this race is being used as a stepping stone towards a return to his favourite venue Ascot for a tilt at next month’s International Handicap, which he won back in 2022.
Fanshawe added: “The plan is to run Fresh on Saturday. He was bought as Kind Of Blue’s lead horse. He was working well ahead of the Wokingham, but he didn’t quite get in there.
“We will probably aim for the International Handicap after this. He leads Kind Of Blue in all his work so he is a good gauge for him.”
Last week was a fairly quiet one for the Fanshawe team at Royal Ascot with just the three runners across the five-day meeting.
While Hampton Court Stakes third Glittering Legend is set for a move to Hong Kong, hopes are high that Sandringham Stakes sixth Miss Nightfall can bag a nice race this campaign.
Fanshawe added: “Miss Nightfall ran very well, but she was just a bit unlucky. The handicaps had been won by horses drawn high for the majority of the week then the last two days there was a change in the bias.
“The race developed down the other side and hopefully there will be a nice prize in her this season.
"Glittering Legend ran a nice race to finish third in the Hampton Court, but that is him done here now as he is off to Hong Kong.”
And for those looking for horses to keep an eye beyond this weekend talented filly Pina Sonata could head to Sandown Park on Saturday week for the Listed Coral Distaff while a potential return date has been pencilled in the calendar for the exciting Back To Black.
Fanshawe added: “She has got some nice entries, but we want to take gradual steps. We will try and get her to the Distaff at Sandown next weekend. If not there is the Group Three Prix Chloe over at Chantilly.
"She has got entities in the Nassau and Prix Rothschild, but her next race will guide us whether she is ready for a race like either of those.
“Back In Black is back in work now and he is going nicely. He just had a little setback after winning at Newbury, but he has been moving well.
"There are a few options in August for him as he is off 92 which is a fair enough mark. The most likely race we will look at is a three year-old handicap at Newbury on August 16th, but he could also be one for the Racing League."
Kind of Blue runs in the JenningsBet Chipchase Stakes at 2.10 in Newcastle on Saturday 28 June.
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