Newmarket offers swift redemption for The Grey Gatsby

Although winless since landing the 2014 Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown, Frank Gillespie’s horse of a lifetime ran a string of magnificent races in defeat last season, placing in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot, the Coral-Eclipse at Sandown and the Juddmonte International at York.

Having missed several engagements due to unsuitable ground, The Grey Gatsby made his belated comeback in the same Royal Ascot contest last month, but testing terrain was once again against him and he had to make do with an honourable fourth.

Hambelton-based Ryan said of the 2014 French Derby winner: “He’s in great form and has got his ground at last.

“It’s the first time he’s had his ground in 12 months – since the Eclipse last year – which is ridiculous really.

“He ran great at Ascot, he just can’t cope with that soft ground. He has no turn of foot in it.

“Going up to a mile and a half won’t be a problem and we’re looking forward to running him.

“We’re just taking it one day at a time.”

The Grey Gatsby faces six rivals in the Group Two contest, with last year’s winner Big Orange back to defend his crown.

Following success 12 months ago, Michael Bell’s stayer went on to win the Goodwood Cup before finishing an excellent fifth in the Melbourne Cup in Australia.

The five-year-old has run two creditable races so far in 2016, finishing second in the Dubai Gold Cup and third in the Jockey Club Stakes.

Bell said: “Big Orange is a bigger and stronger horse than in 2015 and the recent dry weather means that the ground is finally coming in his favour.”

Meanwhile, North Yorkshire trainer David O’Meara has issued a positive update as Amazing Maria, Yorkshire’s 2015 horse of the year, prepares to win successive renewals of the Group One Falmouth Stakes at Newmarket’s July festival.

Sir Robert Ogden’s champion began her current campaign with a solid third place at Newmarket before finding the soft ground all against her when sixth in the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Speaking ahead of tomorrow’s test, O’Meara said: “The current fast ground should suit her much better. It would be a big statement to say that she is still improving at the age of five, but I think that I have got her in similar form to what she was at this time last year.”

Northumberland Plate winner Antiquarium is one of 129 entries for the Betfred Ebor at York on August 20.

The Charlie Appleby-trained four-year-old may be joined by Sir Michael Stoute’s Dannyday, winner of the consolation for the Plate.

There are several Royal Ascot winners in the mix including Ralph Beckett’s Kinema, Gordon Elliott’s Commissioned and Sword Fighter for Aidan O’Brien.

Willie Mullins could be well represented with the likes of Pique Sous, Wicklow Brave, Simenon and Penhill.