Royal date awaits Spyce

Plans as to what horses Alan intends to take to Royal Ascot are still yet to be finalised, but Spyce took a good step towards featuring on on that teamsheet after finishing a staying on fourth in the Trade Nationa London Gold Cup at Newbury on Saturday.

Having finished fifth on his return to action in the Group Three bet365 Classic Trial at Sandown Park last month the son of Too Darn Hot reverted back to handicap company for tthe first time in the £100,000 prize.

Although Sypce, who was conceeding weight to all bar two of his rivals, was unable to match the efforts of the winner Lost Boys, it was a performance that left Alan happy enough to send him to the Royal meeting for a tilt at the Golden Gates Handicap providing the ground is suitable.

Alan said: “He stayed on well into fourth. He was giving lots of them weight and he gave the winner eleven pounds. Rossa (Ryan) was very happy with him.

“He will now go to Royal Ascot for the Golden Gates Handicap. Rossa said he is not ready for a mile and a half yet. He said they dawdled around there. He wants a hard run race, which he should get at Ascot, and provided it is not like a road he will go there.

“I think at the end of the season he could go a mile and a half, but Rossa said not to do it now.”

While Spyce can look forward to a trip to the early summer highlight at the Berkshire venue next month stablemate Alcarath appears unlikley to join him according to Alan.

After finishing fifth in his seasonal debut debut in the Betfted Suffolk Stakes at Newmarket the son of Acclamation could only go one place better at Newbury on Friday in the Titan Wealth Handicap.

Alan said: “He ran well, but he is not there yet. He does everything so easy at home so maybe he is not as fit as he should be. He is still learning. He would probably appropriate a bit more juice in the ground. I think on soft ground he will really let himself down.

“I don’t think Royal Ascot is on the agenda for him as I don’t think he would get in. We will stick to a mile and a quarter for now. He is a good horse, but he is not there yet.”