Dual Group One 1 winner Angel Bleu is set to begin his campaign in the Listed Lady Wulfruna Stakes, the first of two Fast-Track Qualifiers at Wolverhampton on Saturday, March 11. Angel Bleu was one of Europe’s leading 2yos in 2021, taking the Group 2 Vintage Stakes at Goodwood before a memorable French Group One double in the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere and Criterium International.
The Dark Angel colt ran three times against top opposition last year, most recently finishing fifth behind Baaeed in the Group 1 Sussex Stakes at Glorious Goodwood. Trainer Ralph Beckett said: “Angel Bleu has been in training all winter and the intention was always to start him off at Wolverhampton on Saturday. This is not a prep for the All- Weather Championships finals but it is a prep for the rest of the year.”
With a place in the £150,000 All-Weather Mile Championships on offer, the 14 entries also feature Berkshire Shadow and Lusail, who were fifth and sixth respectively in last season’s 2000 Guineas. Other notable entries include the Charlie Appleby-trained Noble Dynasty, successful in three of his last four starts for Godolphin, the Dubai Turf.
Today was a case of getting back to work and he has done that very well against a good field. He's an unexposed horse who we wanted to keep fresh for a career at four having not run that much last year. He obviously needed the run after five months off but everything has gone very well up to this point."
Godolphin’s Botanik ran well, on his first start since chasing home Win Marilyn in the Hong Kong Vase, over a trip shorter than ideal and furthered his claim to be considered a contender for the Dubai Sheema Classic. and fellow Lingfield Park scorer Dhabab for John & Thady Gosden.
The final Fast-Track Qualifier of this season’s All-Weather Championships takes place later on the card, with reigning Marathon champion Earlofthecotswolds among nine contenders for a Expertconditions stakes.
Listed winner Roberto Escobarr could make his first appearance for William Haggas since finishing second in a Fast-Track Qualifier last February, while Richard Hughes has entered Queen Alexandra Stakes third Calling The Wind.
