Plotting a path for royal star

Gallops watchers have noticed trainer Sir Michael Stoute putting the son of Street Cry through his paces in recent weeks and Her Majesty paid a private visit to Newmarket in order to scrutinise her numerous horses stabled around the town.

Carlton House was an impressive winner of the Dante Stakes at York last year and went on to finish a close third to the now retired Pour Moi in the Epsom Derby, having suffered a setback in his preparation and also losing a shoe in the race.

His only other start in 2011 was when a close fourth in the Irish Derby and he does not hold any entries in British races at this stage.

“We’re getting closer towards making a decision as to where he runs and it all will unfold shortly,” said the Queen’s racing manager, John Warren.

“He wintered very well, The Queen saw him last week and Sir Michael is very happy with him.”

Early favourites Galaxy Rock and West End Rocker are among 25 entries remaining in Saturday’s Bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown.

The latter is one of a number of horses who failed to complete the Grand National a fortnight ago and are set to be turned out again, along with Rare Bob, Vic Venturi, Viking Blond and Deep Purple.

Jonjo O’Neill’s Galaxy Rock would have an even shorter time-lapse between races, as he was pulled up in last weekend’s Scottish National.

It is the finale of the jumps season at the Esher track and while Paul Nicholls has already secured another champion trainer title after his Grand National victory at Aintree, he may be double-handed through the quirky Tidal Bay, who has been left with top weight, and Aldertune.

He did, however, withdraw Sir Alex Ferguson’s Harry The Viking who was pulled up on Saturday at Ayr.

The hugely exciting Sir Des Champs bids to maintain his unbeaten run since joining Willie Mullins in the Growise Champion Novice Chase at Punchestown today on a star-studded opening to Ireland’s premier five-day jumping festival.

The six-year-old won at last month’s Cheltenham Festival for the second year running with a brilliant performance in the Jewson Novices’ Chase, and is now the ante-post favourite for the Cheltenham Gold Cup next March.

He steps up to Grade One level for the first time, and also steps up in distance.

“I’m happy he’s in good shape and I wouldn’t be worried about the ground for him, he should be fine,” said Mullins.

“We’re looking forward to trying him over this trip and running him in a Grade One. Hopefully, he’ll take the step up.”

Easily next best on the official ratings is Declan McNamara’s Mossey Joe, a dual winner last May.

He has not been sighted since suffering injury on his final start at Down Royal in June, however, and his trainer is just hoping his star turn comes home safe and sound.

“He’s as good as I can have him without a run, but I would have preferred to have got a run into him beforehand. He will come on for it,” said McNamara.

Henry de Bromhead reports Sizing Europe to be “bouncing” as he bids to end his season on a high in the Boylesports.com Champion Chase tomorrow.

The 10-year-old lost his crown in a controversial running of the Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham last month at the hands of Finian’s Rainbow, with the pair swerving around the dolled off final fence.

“He seems in really good form. We had him out this morning and he nearly ran away with Andrew (Lynch). He’s bouncing,” said De Bromhead.

“We’ve had mixed weather and the ground is softer than you might have expected for this time of year but it was pretty soft when he won the Tied Cottage Chase here in February and also in the Tingle Creek at Sandown, so, hopefully he’ll be all right.

“He seems fresh and well, so fingers crossed.”

Sizing Europe’s chief opponent would appear to be old rival Big Zeb.

Colm Murphy’s 11-year-old was the narrow victor when the pair clashed in this race 12 months ago but Sizing Europe has comprehensively come out on top in their two meetings this season.

As expected, Wishfull Thinking from the in-form yard of Philip Hobbs is an absentee and is set to run instead at Sandown on Saturday.

David O’Meara is considering the next plan of attack for Penitent after deciding against running him at Newmarket last week.

The six-year-old made a winning debut for his new connections in the Doncaster Mile on April 1 and was declared to run in Thursday’s Earl of Sefton Stakes before being taken out.

The race was won by Questioning, a horse who trailed Peinitent at Doncaster.

“We decided not to run him because we just thought there’d be other options for him,” said O’Meara, who trains near York.

“The form looks good if you can take it literally, but I think Questioning probably improved again for the step up in distance on Thursday. We’re happy with our horse and there are a few options for him, so we’ll see which way we go.”

Waterlogging has forced the abandonment of today’s cards at Newton Abbot and Folkestone.