Kool to keep the best Kompany
Last Updated: 11/08/14 2:17pm
Kool Kompany is likely to be given another chance to grasp Group One glory before the season is out after passing up what appeared a gilt-edged opportunity in the Phoenix Stakes at the Curragh on Sunday.
Following the withdrawal of Anthem Alexander, Richard Hannon's prolific colt was an odds-on favourite to strike at the highest level for the first time, but had to make do with the runner-up spot behind Dick Whittington.
Tim Palin, racing manager for owners Middleham Park Racing, said: "It's always disappointing when you're beaten at odds-on.
"We took the brave route by supplementing him for a Group One and everything looked in place, but unfortunately it didn't come off on the day.
"He was only beaten half a length and ran a gallant race in defeat, so we shouldn't be too despondent."
Kool Kompany is now likely to have his sights lowered on his next appearance before stepping back up to Group One level in the Middle Park Stakes at Newmarket on October 17.
Palin said: "I think the first three from Sunday are all Group One colts, of a fashion.
"Maybe they're not sexy horses, but they all deserve another go at that level and I think we can aim towards the Middle Park as our end-of-season target.
"He will have another run before then, I would have thought.
"He could go for the big sales race at Doncaster on September 11, or we could go for the Mill Reef at Newbury (September 20) with a Group Two penalty.
"I'm not saying he will definitely win a Group One, but he deserves another chance at that level now.
"Going forward, I'm not sure he's going to be a miler, but he could be a seven-furlong horse in time.
"Looking to next year, races like the Greenham and the Jersey spring to mind, and maybe even the Prix Maurice de Gheest over six and a half furlongs in a year's time."
Meanwhile, the National Stakes at the Curragh and the Middle Park are the Group One options under consideration for Cappella Sansevero following his third-place effort, just a short-head behind Kool Kompany..
The Ger Lyons-trained juvenile won his first three starts before finding only The Wow Signal too strong in the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot. Trainer Ger Lyons blamed himself for his star youngster's disappointing effort in the Railway Stakes just 11 days later, saying he had run the colt again too quickly.
Lyons said: "I wasn't surprised at all by his run. For some reason, he wasn't given the benefit of the doubt after his run in the Railway. He showed what a good horse he is when he ran in the Coventry.
"I've had a plan with him all the way through the year and for some reason I deviated from the plan when I ran him in the Railway. It was ridiculous to run him back so quickly after Ascot and I was disgusted with myself afterwards.
"I knew I had him where I wanted on Sunday. I wasn't happy when the rain came, but he's such an honest horse I knew he'd go through it.
"He hated the ground and pulled up when he hit the front, but he was back in front five strides after the line.
"I'm sure there's more improvement in him and because he's a horse that travels so well in his races, he would benefit from getting a lead for a bit longer to give him something to aim at.
"The Middle Park (October 17) has always been part of the long-term plan.
"Everything we've seen is also suggesting he should get seven furlongs, so maybe running in the National Stakes (September 14), getting a lead, could also come into the picture.
"It depends whether we want to stick to six furlongs for this year or not, so we'll speak to Sheikh Fahad (owner) and then make a decision."