SADDLERS BEND comes out of retirement tomorrow for one last hurrah at Epsom.
George Baker’s fiveyear- old runs in the Princess Elizabeth Stakes, 11 days after time was called on her career.
The daughter of Refuse To Bend is in foal to Sakhee’s Secret, and was signed off when winning a conditions race at Leicester last Monday.
Baker has, however, undergone a volteface and will offer Saddlers Bend the chance to win her fifth race on the bounce in the Group Three encounter.
‘‘We had retired her after Leicester, but we thought this was an opportunity to get some black type by her name,’’ said the Whitsbury-based hander.
‘‘We might be tilting at windmills a little, but she has kept surprising us and deserves a shot at the big time.
‘‘It’s very much a case of nothing ventured, nothing gained.
‘‘It would be a miracle if she were to win, but it would be lovely if she does happen to nip into the first three.’’ German handler Mario Hofer has similar expectations for Mountain Rose, who was never a factor on her return at Longchamp last month.
Hofer said: ‘‘Her owner lives in England so that’s why we are running her.
‘‘This might be a step too high, but you never know.’’ Lucy Wadham, meanwhile, is more concerned about the elements for Crystal Gal.
The former Kevin Prendergast-trained filly holds some nice form from her days in Ireland, but will not run unless there is protracted rainfall at the Surrey circuit.
Wadham said: ‘‘The rain is not forecast, but we’ve left her in there, just in case.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here