Knavesmire specialist requires firm going

Firm going is critical to the six-year-old stayer who in his element on quick conditions, as he showed when winning the Lonsdale Cup at York in August 2009.

The Marcus Tregoning-trained stayer got off the mark this term in the Sagaro Stakes at Ascot two weeks ago and a return to the Royal venue for the Gold Cup next month beckons if Askar Tau prevails today.

“I just hope the ground is fast enough for him because he’s at his best on quick ground and he’s in good form,” said the Lambourn trainer.

“It wants to dry out for him to be at his best. He handles the faster ground better than the others, probably. If they got a lot of rain he wouldn’t run.

“He’s been found out on easy ground every time we’ve taken him to France.

“He’s dropping down to one-mile-six, but he’s got plenty of ability.

“His first run of the season at Nottingham (third to The Betchworth Kid) showed he has retained his ability and his follow-up run at Ascot was very pleasing.”

Free Agent finished ahead of Askar Tau at Nottingham, but the Royal runner was two and three-quarter lengths back in third at Ascot and has it all to do.

“Free Agent has won at York and seems to like the big, long straight,” said trainer Richard Hannon.

“He has more than two and a half lengths to find with Askar Tau on Sagaro Stakes form, but he produced a stop-start finish at Ascot.

“We are trying him in cheekpieces to see if they can bring about that bit of improvement.”