Connections aim for HQ repeat with Breton

BRETON Rock will bid for a second successive victory in the seven-furlong Group 3 Criterion Stakes at Newmarket on Saturday.

The seven-year-old gelding coped best with the heavy ground a year ago, beating Adaay by a head.

He has also been in very good form this year, finishing third in the Group 1 Lockinge Stakes at Newbury before being beaten a length, carrying a 5lb penalty in a Group 3 at Haydock.

There has been significant rainfall in Newmarket this week and the likelihood is for a little bit of underfoot ease.

Trainer David Simcock said: “We hope it’s as soft as it can be. He goes in good ground and runs his race on it. No problem.

“It’s just that soft ground inconveniences him others more than it does him.

“Saturday’s trip of seven furlong is perfect. He gets the mile and can certainly pick up the pieces in races over the distance but he is a seven-furlong specialist. We generally go to a mile when there’s a lack of options at seven furlongs

“I was very pleased with his last run at Haydock. He has run better there than he did at Newbury. He was only beaten a length – take into account the 5lb penalty and that puts him on front.”

There is an eight-strong field declared for Saturday’s race.