3 minute read
King runner steps up to Group One level at ParisLongchamp
Who Dares Wins will run in his first Group race on the Flat on Saturday when he tackles the Prix du Cadran at ParisLongchamp.
Alan King's versatile seven-year-old has been a great servant to connections having won a Grade Two over hurdles as a juvenile as well as the Northumberland Plate on the level earlier this season.
He has not run since finishing fourth behind Withhold at Newbury in July as he needs a test of stamina and soft ground.
Owner Henry Ponsonby said: "It's been the plan for a very long time because this horse wants two and a half miles and very soft ground.
"There was nothing else for him after Newbury. The ground was too fast for him in the Cesarewitch when he ran in that two years ago, so this year we decided to go for the Cadran.
"Cleonte is a shorter price than us, yet we beat him in the Chester Cup by eight lengths when we were getting just 1lb. That was the third time he'd been placed in a Chester Cup. He's been fourth, third and second. He's also been placed at Royal Ascot.
"Alan thinks he has come on since Newbury and he's in the best shape he's ever had him. If he'd been a bit closer to the pace, I think we could have given Withhold a race.
"So we've had this race in mind for a long time before he goes novice chasing. He's won nine times and almost £300,000 for us. He's won more money for us than any we've had."