Charlie Hills is set to send a strong team to Royal Ascot next week and one of his leading lights is set to be Cicero's Gift who is all set to step up to Group One company in the St James's Palace Stakes.
The three year old was first seen as a juvenile when winning by close to three lengths at Newbury over a mile on soft ground seeing off the well bred Rajashtan.
Put away for his three year old campaign this term, he returned at Wolverhampton under a penalty when again showing a great attitude over 8.5f to beat the Harry Eustace trained Docklands.
Last seen back on turf at Goodwood over a mile he put up a career best effort to beat the Listed Feilden Stakes second Kolsai by close to six lengths.
🚀 Cicero's Gift - what a performance this is at @Goodwood_Races
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) May 5, 2023
🏇 Three runs
🥇 Three wins
⭐️ Deeply impressive for @cbhills & @KShoemark pic.twitter.com/mPTy6VzROU
Constantly progressing and assured to stay the stiff mile at Royal Ascot, his trainer has targeted him at this race all season and although untried in Group One company, he looks the type to step up to the test.
(Credit ATR) Hills said: “He did it really well at Goodwood last time.
“I was delighted with it. He has improved with every run he’s had.
“Mentally, he has taken a bit of a while to come to himself. Last year we were nice and patient with him. Physically he has strengthened up. His is nice-looking horse, similar to his dad, probably a little bit bigger version.
“It is hard to know where we stack up against the others, as we have come through a different route, but hopefully he will run well.”