In a move that comes as something of a
surprise to those who saw him comprehensively outpointed in Group 3
company ay Haydock recently, connections of one-time Investec Derby
favourite Telescope have indicated they may well run at York on
August 21 in the prestigious Group 2 Neptune Investment Management
Great Voltigeur Stakes.
Although Harry Herbert, spokesman for
Telescope’s owners the Highclere Thoroughbred Racing syndicate,
indicated there is no intention to run in the Ladbrokes St Leger next
month, (a race for which the Great Voltigeur is a key trial), one or
two firms have introduced him into the ante-post betting for the
final classic of the 2013 season at
racing odds of 12/1.
Telescope had been expected to win the
Group 3 Betfred Rose of Lancaster Stakes at Haydock and came there at
the two furlong from home marker with every chance under former
champion jockey, Ryan Moore. But, once asked to go about his
business, he appeared to lack a change of gear and could only keep on
at one pace, eventually being beaten length into second place by the
South African raider David Livingston.
There was no hiding the disappointment
on the faces of Sir
Michael Stoute and those connected to Telescope, an
impressive looking colt who had previously demonstrated his wellbeing
after a nine-month racecourse absence when hacking up by 24 lengths
in a conditions race at Leicester three weeks earlier.
Stoute apparently now feels that the
son of Galileo is crying out for a step up in trip to at least a
mile-and-a-half and - as he has recovered quickly from his Haydock
exertions - feels it is worth letting him take his chance on the
Knavesmire against the likes of potential leading St Leger contenders
Leading Light and Galileo Rock.