Third Realm set for Goodwood outing

Roger Varian has confirmed Third Realm is "on schedule" to run in the Gordon Stakes at Glorious Goodwood this month. 

The Sea The Stars colt recorded back-to-back victories on his first two appearances of 2021, claiming the spoils at Nottingham before getting the better of subsequent Epsom hero Adayar in the Lingfield Derby Trial in May. 

But the three-year-old could only manage fifth in the Epsom Derby last time out and that display had left connections contemplating where to send him next. 

Trainer Varian has now confirmed Third Realm is on course for the Gordon Stakes at the end of this month and he is hopeful a return to form will come about on the Sussex Downs. 

He said: "Third Realm is on schedule to run at Goodwood in the Gordon Stakes.

"The Derby form looks very good. I thought it was a good race at the time, and it will be interesting to see how the winner [Adayar] fares next weekend in the King George [at Ascot]." 

Crehan handed suspension

Apprentice jockey Mark Crehan has been handed a 28-day suspension after being found guilty of failing to ride out Aerion Power in the LMD Vacuum Excavation Handicap at Doncaster. 

Having moved into the lead, Crehan then made a huge error when he mistook the half-furlong marker for the winning post and he had to settle for second place behind Colony Queen, who took full advantage of the mistake. 

Confirming the ban, the steward's report on britishhorseracing.com said: "Crehan was found in breach of Rule (F)37 and guilty of failing to ride out on a horse that would have finished first and was suspended for 28 days." 

Love in line for Ascot run

Trainer Aidan O'Brien says the "plan at the moment" is for Love to run in the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Qipco Stakes at Ascot on Saturday. 

Love, who won the 1000 Guineas and Oaks last year, made a successful return after 10 months off the track when taking out the Prince of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot. 

Under the guidance of Ryan Moore, the superstar filly held off Audarya and Armory in second and third, respectively, and everything is now pointing towards a return to the Berkshire circuit next weekend. 

Speaking at the Curragh on Sunday, O'Brien said: "The plan at the moment is that we're looking at running Love in the King George. 

"Mogul and Broome are also there but Love is the most likely to run. Something else could run but I'm not sure just yet." 

York the target for St Mark's Basilica

Aidan O'Brien has also revealed the current plan is for St Mark's Basilica to head to York next month for the Group 1 Juddmonte International Stakes. 

The three-year-old picked up a three-and-a-half-length victory at Sandown last time out, extending his winning streak to four while also lifting him to the head of the Longines World's Best Racehorse rankings with an official rating of 127. 

O'Brien admits there are other options on the table for his charge but, as things stand, a crack at York's Juddmonte is the likely target for St Mark's Basilica. 

He said: "At the moment, I think the lads are thinking about the Juddmonte without really committing to it yet, in case they change their minds.

"The lads always make the decisions as to where they run but the Juddmonte and the Irish Champion Stakes are on his programme. 

"Everyone is very happy with him at home."