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orris Dancer, Avicenna and Catullus all aim for a breakthrough G3 victory in the Jersey Stakes on day five of Royal Ascot on Saturday.
Palace Pier colt Morris Dancer was only denied by a short-head in last season’s G2 Vintage Stakes at Goodwood and makes his seasonal return for John & Thady Gosden following a four-length victory in Salisbury’s Listed Stonehenge Stakes in August.
Avicenna has also scored at Listed level, with the Roger Varian-trained colt having pipped this season’s G1 Poule d’Essai des Poulains third Hankelow in the Flying Scotsman Stakes at Doncaster’s St Leger Festival.
Runner-up in the G3 Craven Stakes on his three-year-old return, Avicenna ran no sort of race as he failed to beat a rival in the G1 2,000 Guineas.
Catullus was fourth behind Distant Storm on his only previous G3 outing in September’s Tattersalls Stakes and steps back up in class for Charlie Appleby following an emphatic win in a Goodwood handicap last month.
Roger Varian said: “I think the 2,000 Guineas came too soon for Avicenna after the Craven Stakes. We intended to use the Craven Stakes to put the edge on him for the Guineas, but it probably did the opposite, and the turnaround was too short. He bounced that day but was fine afterwards and we have given him time. The stiff seven and strong pace at Ascot will suit, so we are hoping he can get back on track.”
Charlie Appleby said: “Catullus probably has a bit to find with some of the field, although he was a given a big hike in the ratings following his win at Goodwood. We have always felt that he could be a Stakes horse and he ticks a few boxes, in that he has plenty of experience and loves quick ground. He is in great nick and can hopefully be involved in the business end of the race.”
Spy Chief was runner-up in the G3 Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot last year and the John & Thady Gosden-trained four-year-old makes a first handicap appearance in the Wokingham Stakes on the back of a neck second in Salisbury’s Listed Cathedral Stakes.
Meanwhile, Trawlerman put up another extraordinary performance in the G1 Gold Cup as he was caught in the final strides by Scandinavia in a brilliant edition of the Royal Ascot showpiece on Thursday.
The John & Thady Gosden-trained stayer had lowered the course record when storming to victory in the two-and-a-half-mile marathon in 2025 but was making his seasonal return in the race this time following a preparation hindered by an eye problem.
Having bounced out of the gates, Trawlerman again took up the running from his 10 rivals, initially leading Scandinavia before Caballo De Mar took closer order in second with a circuit to race.
Trawlerman continued to hold a length and a half lead and appeared to have the rest of the field in trouble when kicking on for William Buick turning in, with Scandinavia the only horse able to go with the eight-year-old inside the final quarter-mile.
Scandinavia loomed up on the outside of Trawlerman over a furlong out and the duo served up a thrilling finish, with the Godolphin runner refusing to give up his advantage until his younger rival finally wrestled the lead in the shadow of the post.
A head separated Scandinavia and Trawlerman at the line, with a full nine lengths back to Sweet William in third.
