Brigadier Gerard Stakes preview: Tryster takes acid test

Views from connections ahead of Thursday's Group Three Cantor Fitzgerald Research Brigadier Gerard Stakes at Sandown.

Tryster will try to justify some fancy entries after a prolific all-weather campaign when he switches to turf for the Cantor Fitzgerald Research Brigadier Gerard Stakes at Sandown on Thursday.

The Godolphin-owned four-year-old gelding was given engagements in the Prince of Wales's Stakes and the Coral-Eclipse Stakes after he notched a 12-week five-timer in the Coral Easter Classic at Lingfield on Good Friday.

Whether he can live up to further aspirations depends largely on how he fares in this Group Three contest over a mile and a quarter.

"We're very pleased with him. He's had a break since Good Friday and he's done well. I'm looking forward to it," said trainer Charlie Appleby.

"His preparation has been very pleasing and this is a fact-finding mission to see what we do for the rest of the season with him.

"He's carrying a penalty and it's a proper race.

"We'll be a lot wiser after the race as to what we do with him. We have some lofty entries for him on the back of what he did through the course of the winter.

"We are hoping he can transfer that form from the all-weather to the turf now. He's in good order."

The Brigadier Gerard Stakes looks a proper trial for the Prince of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot as of the six runners Niceofyoutotellme is the only one without that entry.

Eagle Top makes his comeback after being absent since finishing fourth behind stablemate Taghrooda in the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot in July.

While connections expect the John Gosden-trained four-year-old to benefit from the outing, Eagle Top has been training well ahead of his reappearance.

"He's had nearly a year off and while he's been going well, he'll need the race. Hopefully this will put him spot on for Ascot," said Hugo Lascelles, racing manager to owner-breeder Lady Bamford.

"We need to run him here first. He'll need it, but he's been going well.

"I would say we're leaning towards the Prince of Wales's at Royal Ascot rather than the Hardwicke.

"This race should be a nice introduction to start his season."

The Gosden team are also represented by Western Hymn, who is fresh from a successful seasonal debut in the Gordon Richards Stakes over the course and distance five weeks ago.

Tullius was fourth that day on what was his first attempt at 10 furlongs for nearly four years, with all his wins coming from seven to nine furlongs.

The seven-year-old is a Group Two winner over a mile on this course and his trainer Andrew Balding is looking for a good run, although he would he would like to see some rain.

"He's been very consistent and has been a solid Group performer for a while now," said the Kingsclere handler.

"He likes a bit of give in the ground, so any rain would be welcome. He's in fine form and he likes Sandown, so I'd hope he runs well."

The Sir Michael Stoute-trained Arab Spring, owned and bred by County Meath-based Ballymacoll Stud, has also had the luxury of a recent outing, having lifted the John Porter Stakes at Newbury last month.

He also has the option of the Prince of Wales's and the Hardwicke at the Royal meeting.