Kevin Ryan reports Glory Awaits to be in good order ahead of Tuesday’s Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot.
But, while a bold showing is expected at the Royal meeting, Ryan says the horse’s defence of the Group 2 Topkapi Trophy is the five-year-old’s principal aim this year.
The son of Choisir made the headlines when finishing second to Dawn Approach in the 2000 Guineas two years ago and has run in a number of top-class races since.
Last campaign, he scooped the Listed City Plate at Chester as well as romping to victory when leading home a British 1-2-3 in the Topkapi Trophy in Istanbul last September.
Glory Awaits has had two runs this term, finishing second in the Doncaster Mile in March before disappointing in the Group 3 Earl Of Sefton Stakes at Newmarket a month later.
He did not see out the one mile and one furlong trip on that occasion.
He will once again bid for the wealthy prize in Turkey later this year but will first contest the Queen Anne Stakes where he will line up against a competitive field which includes this year’s Lockinge Stakes winner Night Of Thunder, Dubai Turf victor Solow and Hong Kong sensation Able Friend.
Victory for Ryan’s charge will be difficult, but the Yorkshire handler feels Glory Awaits can run respectably in the opening race of the Royal meeting before heading to Turkey again.
“Glory Awaits is in great order heading to Ascot,” Ryan told Beforetheoff.com. “He ran a cracking race under a penalty on his reappearance at Doncaster and just didn’t stay the extra furlong last time at Newmarket.
“The Queen Anne is shaping up to be the race of the meeting and we are under no illusions about the task ahead of him but he is very tough and genuine and should give his owner a bold show.
“He is in great order but his main target will be to head back to Turkey this year and defend the Topkapi Trophy.”
Ryan will send a strong team to Royal Ascot which includes last year’s Irish Champion Stakes winner The Grey Gatsby.
