THERE’S no doubt Military Order is the buzz horse for me this weekend. He might even be worth a cheeky ante-post Classic bet!
It’s been a tough season for Godolphin and only in recent weeks three of Charlie Appleby’s stable stars have been retired in Hurricane Lane, Modern Games and former Derby hero Adayar.
PAMilitary Order gives them the slip at Lingfield earlier this year[/caption]
But the latter’s brother, Military Order, could still have a big say in some huge prizes for Sheikh Mohammed’s operation.
Military Order returns to action after an absence of ninety one days in today’s Listed Caa Stellar Chester Stakes live on ITV.
It’s not a totally simple task, with the in form Ralph Beckett out to grab another big win for Marc Chan – the man who scored with Lezoo, Kinross and Angel Bleu last weekend – via Lone Eagle.
Ironically he’s a horse who once chased home Hurricane Lane in an Irish Derby.
However, if Military Order is a proper tool he should romp home as he steps up to a distance of an extended mile and six furlongs for the first time.
And on that basis having a few quid on for the final British Classic, the Betfred St Leger at Doncaster on September 16, might not be the worst idea.
At the time of writing you can get 14-1 if you are clever, although 12-1 is the general price.
Military Order has only raced five times, but looked like a horse with huge promise when landing a novice at Newmarket as a juvenile.
The runner-up then Ancient Rules has never been seen since, but the fifth Silver Sword has done really well and banged in his third success of the season at York’s Ebor fixture. Gallant Lion was a distant seventh and he’s landed his last four races for Tony Carroll!
Over the winter Military Order was always the big Derby hope for Appleby, and after winning at Newbury first time he stayed on really well to deny Waipiro in the Lingfield Trial.
The latter is now gelded and in Hong Kong having finished sixth at Epsom and taken the Hampton Court at Royal Ascot.
Military Order flopped in the Derby, and was last of fourteen disappearing out the TV screen from two furlongs out.
Appleby said: “Military Order has enjoyed a nice break since Epsom and we have been very pleased with how he has done physically over the summer.
“We had the option of running here or in France and were looking for the better ground for him – good, good to soft at worst – so hopefully we get those conditions at Chester.”
“We feel that stepping up to this trip will potentially suit but we are very much dipping our toe to see where we are going into the autumn.
“If he happens to win well, he could put himself into the St Leger picture, and we are looking forward to getting him back on track.”
Appleby also throws a potential star at us this weekend in the shape of Aablan, who heads to Sandown this afternoon for the Group 3 Virgin Bet Solario Stakes.
It’s a race Appleby has landed before, most notably with Derby victor Masar in 2017, as well as the talented Silver Knott this time last year.
Aablan is a son of Godolphin’s super stallion Dubawi and looked very good on debut at Newmarket, staying on strongly to score by half a length.
He could be anything. But so could others in the Solario.
Mortlake has a bit more experience for Beckett, and won by five lengths on second start, while Starlore goes for Sir Michael Stoute and Ryan Moore.
The Kingman offspring has track experience and just held on to victory first time out suggesting much more to come. Stoute has never won the Solario!
It’s that time of year when some have had enough of the Flat season and we just start to think about jumping.
We should learn this month what the future holds, for instance, for star Constitution Hill, although most anticipate him staying over hurdles.
That said, the Flat still has much more to give.
Next weekend is an Irish Champion Stakes which should mark the return of Auguste Rodin, while the Haydock Sprint has July Cup hero Shaquille as an ante-post hot favourite.
Class Aidan O’Brien juvenile City of Troy is all set for the Goffs Vincent O’Brien National Stakes at the Curragh on September 10, and then there’s the Breeders’ Cup in November.
Plenty of life left in this term. You just have to prepare with military order.
Chapman’s Saturday selections
Chester
Lord Bertie
Military Order
Sandown
INDEMNIFY (nap)
Midnight Mile
Stay Well
Aablan
Beverley
Aimeric (each-way)
Apollo One
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