Bonus-chasing Torcedor to chart direct route towards Gold Cup
Torcedor took the first step to scooping the £1million prize up for grabs in the WH Stayers’ Million with victory in the Sagaro Stakes – but trainer Jessica Harrington believes it will be a tough ask to complete the set.
The bonus will go to any horse who can win four of this year’s top staying races, starting with one of four recognised prep races in May which Torcedor took at Ascot on Wednesday.
The Boodles Diamond Ormonde Stakes at Chester, the Yorkshire Cup at York and the Matchbook Henry II Stakes at Sandown are the other qualifying races this month.
The next port of call for Torcedor will be a return to Ascot for the Gold Cup at the Royal meeting for leg two in the series with the Qatar Goodwood Cup and the Weatherbys Hamilton Lonsdale Cup at York in August the final pieces of the jigsaw.
“It’s going to be very hard for any horse to do but we’re in there at the start and we’ve got to win the Ascot Gold Cup now,” said Harrington.
“I’m absolutely delighted. The proper Torcedor turned up (at Ascot)
“He jumped out and made all and Colm (O’Donoghue) said every time he asked him he quickened for him.
“We’ll head straight for the Ascot Gold Cup now.”