LIBRISA BREEZE is one of 17 entries in the Champions’ Sprint at Ascot on Saturday, a race he won last year in his finest hour.
Soft ground is the key to the 6yo son of Mount Nelson and he loves Ascot, so owner, Brighton and Hove Albion Football Club Chairman, Tony Bloom, will have been delighted with the recent downpours which led to nearby Windsor being abandoned today.
Breeze is currently rated 113, a pound higher than last year when the 10/1 shot landed the Group One prize, worth £340,000. Last year, on official ratings, he “couldn’t” win with seven horses rated higher than him. This year he is up against it again with six horses rated higher than him, including Harry Angel (123) and current market leader, The Tin Man (117).
Librisa has not lived up to last year’s form but there have been legitimate reasons for the dip in form. At Meydan in April, he did not travel well while in the Diamond Jubilee at Royal Ascot, the ground was Good to Firm. He did however run well at Deauville in the Group One Maurice Van Gheest over 7f when fourth, beaten 4 1/4 lengths.
Ascot always seems to bring about the best in the horse and he has a remarkable record there. In 2016, he was second in the Royal Hunt Cup over a mile and then won two seven furlong handicaps, the International Stakes and the totescoop6 Challenge Cup.
The bookmakers seem very aware of the horses for courses scenario and Breeze is currently 11/2 second favourite. The going is currently Soft at Ascot but with a dry week ahead, who knows what the going will be on raceday?
He’s been there and done it. Can he do it again? He has the course. Will he get the ground? If he does, he should run well.