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Ombudsman aims to remain unbeaten as he takes on Brigadier Gerard test and Gold Cup runner-up Trawlerman is also expected to feature.
Night Of Thunder colt Ombudsman looks all set to return for the 2025 season at Sandown in the mile-and-a-quarter Brigadier Gerard Stakes on May 29. Trained by John and Thady Gosden, the colt is currently unbeaten after wins at Newmarket, Leicester, Deauville and Longchamp after moving up the ranks from novice company to Group Three where he won the Prix du Prince d'Orange by half-a-length. Kept to the same level if racing at Sandown, Godolphin's four-year-old looks to have a bright career ahead of him.
Thady Gosden said: "Ombudsman has had a nice break over the winter and the plan has always been to come here followed then by hopefully a run at Royal Ascot where he holds an entry in the Prince Of Wales's Stakes.
"He is a horse that we have taken our time with and the Brigadier Gerard Stakes is a good spot to start his season off on. "Although his Group Three win last year was on soft ground, he is relatively versatile when it comes to ground. Like most horses he wouldn't want extremes. "He has been on target for this all spring and he has been training well. He has made good progress in his work this year. "He seems in very good order with himself and hopefully this will bring him forward nicely."
Earlier the same evening, the Gosdens may also be represented by Trawlerman, who is on target to take in the Group Three Henry II Stakes over two miles. Runner-up to Kyprios in the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot last June, but without a win since October 2023, the seven-year-old had his first start of the year when fifth in the Group Two Dubai Gold Cup at Meydan in early April, Gosden said:
"He ran a solid enough race over in Dubai and he has come back from that very well.
"He has obviously had a little freshen up since then and, similar to Ombudsman, he is going here ahead of a trip to the Royal meeting.
"It makes sense to give him one run before Ascot as it will sharpen him up and it will bring him on in terms of fitness as well"
In the penultimate race, the Listed Heron Stakes, the same stable may be double handed with both Bowmark and Nebras possibles for the mile contest. St James's Palace Stakes entry Bowmark, a son of Kingman, won a York novice by four lengths earlier this month, while Nebras was second to Alpine Trail at this level at Newmarket over a mile and a quarter, and would be stepping back in trip.
