Trawlerman emerges as Lonsdale contender

John Gosden has confirmed his star stayer Trawlerman is likely to defend his crown in the Weatherbys Lonsdale Cup at York’s Ebor Festival.

With a well publicised eye problem that led to him being trained in goggles delaying his reappearance, the eight-year-old came off second best in a Gold Cup for the ages at Royal Ascot in June, going down by just a head to Aidan O’Brien’s Scandinavia.

A rematch took place in last week’s Goodwood Cup and while Scandinavia was ultimately a dominant winner, Trawlerman was hampered by the riderless Amiloc and connections will be hoping for better fortune if he does return to the Knavesmire on August 21.

“He had an interesting ride around the Sussex Downs – the loose horse clearly interfering and then coming across. But he seems in good order from the race,” said Gosden, who trains in partnership with his son Thady.

“We would very much be inclined at the moment to be considering going for the Lonsdale. It’s a race he’s won before, a lovely race at a great meeting.”

Trawlerman is set to be part of a strong Clarehaven team bound for York’s four-day fixture, with the undoubted star attraction being Ombudsman.

The Night Of Thunder entire has been kept fresh for his bid for back-to-back wins in the Juddmonte International since his Prince of Wales’s Stakes romp at the Royal meeting and with Coral-Eclipse hero Constitution River lying in wait – along with likely pacemakers for both horses – Gosden is expecting there to be “no holds barred” in what will be a fascinating clash.

“We’re building up his programme now, but he’s a horse who’s got a wonderful mind, good constitution, so he enjoys his training without being flamboyant” he added.

“On the other hand, he’s not resentful about anything he has to do. He goes out, enjoys it, comes back and does his work. To that extent, he’s a pleasure to train.

“We’ve obviously got some more important work to do, but he doesn’t need hard, hard work or anything like that.

“He travels well on the bridle and we’ve been planning this all year from a long way out.”

Ombudsman’s stablemate and fellow Godolphin-owned runner Devil’s Advocate was deployed in a pacesetting role at Royal Ascot. When asked whether that is likely to be the case again, Gosden said: “Yes, I think so, And I’m sure Aidan (O‘Brien) will have others in there for Constitution River.

“You saw the pace they went in the Eclipse, let alone the Prix du Jockey Club. There’s going to be no holds barred, that’s for sure.”

Gosden’s Musidora Stakes winner Legacy Link holds an entry in the Yorkshire Oaks, while Superior Choice is a interesting contender for the Sky Bet Great Voltigeur Stakes.

The trainer said: “Legacy Link is in good form. She, like everybody in this country right now, let alone the farmers in the Vale of York, would very much like to see some rain. So to that extent, we’ll see how it goes. But we’re pleased with her.

“Superior Choice would be pointing towards the Voltigeur. He’s still a horse on the up, still learning.

“I wouldn’t see him being much beyond that trip – I think the mile and a half will probably wind up being the top end of his range.”