UK: Sea seeking Ascot success

Tuesday, 19 June 2012: Born To Sea has another chance to come out of the shadow of his illustrious half-brother Sea The Stars when he goes for glory in the St James's Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot on Tuesday.

The three-year-old colt has just one success to his name but while he was well-beaten in the Qipco 2000 Guineas at Newmarket, he finished as well as anything when fifth in the Irish equivalent, where he had the benefit of a hood to help him settle. Connections still regard him as a classy type and he will be sporting the hood again.

His rider Johnny Murtagh, who rode a Classic winner in France on Sunday, told At The Races: "Born To Sea ran a bit keen at Newmarket but he settled better the last day and I think he can step up again."

He added: "He's a horse I've always liked. We view him as a Group One horse and I think Ascot could be the ideal track for him.

"He finished off really well (at the Curragh), but if he had run keen there we might never have got him back. Pat (Smullen) had to drop him in and he was very happy with him, he finished off really well so he is relaxing more now.

"The hood really helps him, the fizz has gone out of him. He has great energy, but after two races he'll be much more relaxed."

Brian Meehan saddles a promising colt in Cogito, winner of both his starts, most recently in what looked a good renewal of the Heron Stakes at Sandown.

"He's got a really good finishing style, he grinds it out. He looked good in his maiden but the way he did it at Sandown the other day was really impressive," Meehan told British Champions Series TV.

"At Sandown, Frankie (Dettori) really set out to teach him a little more so I think he could have won easier or further if that hadn't been the case, but it was important to get him in the mix and push him around in the race a little bit, which he did."