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Charlie Appleby to go the distance with Charming Thought

...but it was this close at the finish
Image: Charming Thought: Needs a longer trip according to his trainer

Charlie Appleby feels the time is right to step Group One winner Charming Thought up in trip.

Having missed all of last season through injury, the son of Oasis Dream has yet to rediscover the form that saw him win the 2014 Middle Park Stakes, finishing outside the frame on both of his outings this campaign.

Appleby said: "Stepping Charming Thought up in trip is on our minds.

"I was delighted with his first run back over a stiff six furlong at Salisbury.

"He was kept to that trip at Newbury to see if he still maintained that speed and, to be fair to him, he was only beaten three and a half lengths.

"What pleased me that day was that he galloped all the way to the line.

"He has come out of his last race well and is a horse that, having missed his three-year-old career, will take time to get going.

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"From what I've seen he now needs that step up in trip. We will look at all the options over seven furlongs and a mile.

"He could go for something like the Sovereign Stakes at Salisbury. He will be very easy to place now as he no longer has his penalty.

"There is an array of seven-furlong and mile Group Three races. He will be entered in whatever we feel suits."

A trip to America for a tilt at the Arlington Million next month remains on the cards for stablemate Tryster.

After having gaining a first top-level success in Dubai earlier in the year, the five-year-old was beaten just under five lengths in the St James's Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot on ground that was softer than ideal.

Appleby said: "He's in good order and I'm looking forward to getting him back on a flat, left-handed track.

"For whatever reason, he is definitely better left-handed than going right-handed."

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