The exciting Shader is set to target the G3 Midnite Winter Derby following his breakout victory in the Listed Unibet Floodlit Stakes at Kempton Park last week.
A dual winner on the all-weather last autumn for John & Thady Gosden, the Juddmonte four-year-old proved a class apart on his first start since May as he defeated the 107-rated West Wind Blows by nine lengths.
The G3 Midnite Winter Derby takes place at Lingfield Park in February, with Shader’s connections eyeing a return to Kempton Park in the meantime for the Listed Unibet Wild Flower Stakes next month.
Discussing his latest win, Colin Keane said: “Shader is a horse they liked earlier in the year, but he had a few little niggly issues and they gave him time. They have reaped the returns today and he will be a nice horse going forward.
"I thought we went along nice and even the whole way – I would have loved it even if they'd have brought him further [into the race]. But when I asked him, he quickened nicely and then just got a little bit lonely in front.
"The 12 furlongs is a nice fit for him as he relaxes and gets the trip well."
Shader’s stablemate Chancellor made a successful comeback on the same Kempton Park card as he edged out Sarab Star by a neck in a seven-furlong class two handicap.
The son of Kingman, who is out of G1 Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf winner Queen’s Trust, has a revised rating of 104 and could step up to a mile for the Listed Unibet Hyde Stakes next month.
His jockey Robert Havlin said: “Chancellor was favourite for the Champagne Stakes last year but managed to burst the front gates open. He has had a few issues, which meant he has not run for six months.
“We have always held him in high regard and thought he would be going in the top races this year. That is why we started him in the Greenham but he needed his wind tweaked after that.
“This was a decent effort considering the lay off and hopefully it is onwards and upwards now. Although he has won over six furlongs as well, I think he could stretch out to a mile as he is very straightforward.”
Progressive sprinter Coul Angel notched two wins at Kempton Park in the space of a week for Mick Appleby, the latter coming in class two company. Now up to a mark of 92, the three-year-old has climbed 14lb in the handicap since being gelded during the summer.
The Simon Hodgson-trained Clearpoint overcame a four-day turnaround as he landed five-furlong handicaps at Lingfield Park and Wolverhampton. The handicapper has responded with a 9lb hike to 96.
City Of Poets could be a player in the Mile category for James Tate after a closing short-head success in a class three handicap at Wolverhampton. The son of Ghaiyyath, who is now two from three on the all-weather, has a revised rating of 91.
Aviatrice secured Listed honours in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Cooley Fillies Stakes at Dundalk, following up her impressive handicap success at the track in October. Trainer David Marnane is hoping she remains in the yard following her appearance at the sales next month.
