William Muir's stable star Pyledriver is set to head to Epsom next week and compete for the Group One Coronation Cup and his trainer bullish about his horses chances after having a decent prep run.
The now four year old was a real success story for the fairly small yard last term having made his seasonal debut in June when finishing second at Kempton, but since then improving with every run and showing he is a real black type contender.
He headed to Royal Ascot for his second start of the season and he was a shock winner of the Group Two King Edward VII Stakes.
The colt was given a Derby entry and went to Epsom but having being bumped in the big field early on he ran no race and as a far as Muir was concerned they drew a line through that run.
He proved how special he can be next time out when taking the Group Two Great Voltigeur Stakes at York's Ebor meeting, being eased down in the final stages.
The St Leger was next on the agenda and with many pundits fearing he would not stay, they were proved wrong as the three year old finished a length third behind winner Galileo Chrome.
HE'S BACK...
— The Winners Enclosure (@TWEnclosure) April 29, 2021
PYLEDRIVER was arguably the story of last years flat season and he bids to continue the fairytale this Saturday in the Group 2 Jockey Club Stakes! ✨
📝 He'll face Sir Ron Priestley, Al Zaraqaan, Pablo Escobarr & Thunderous!
🎬 @RacingTVpic.twitter.com/7lrnRwTeJc
Although seeing out the marathon trip his trainer believes he is best over 1 mile 4 furlongs, but he did not give his best running on his final start of the season when only seventh of 10 in the Group One Champion Stakes at Ascot.
Back for another season this term the son of Harbour Watch finished a decent second in the Group Two Jockey Club Stakes at Newmarket behind the smart Sir Ron Priestley and with that run under his belt Muir is keen on seeking Group One glory.
(Credit ATR) “Everything’s gone to plan – his work’s been great,” he said.
“He’s on target to go where we’ve said – right from day one, we’ve said that was his target, so he’ll go to Epsom a week on Friday.”
Muir was pleased with Pyledriver’s Jockey Club Stakes performance and believes the colt will be sure to come on for that experience.
“He’s definitely where we want him – he was a horse that we were never going to take too much out of in his first race or really get stuck into him,” added the trainer.
“You do take more out of them than you realise. But he’s right where I want him now, and he’s in great shape.”