Botti hopes for Tac return
Last Updated: 14/09/14 12:55pm
Marco Botti has not given up hope Tac De Boistron could be fit enough to defend his crown in the Prix Royal-Oak at Longchamp in late October.
The seven-year-old stayer, an impressive five-length winner of the French Group One in 2013, has been sidelined since he suffered damaged ribs when taking a pick of grass at his trainer's paddocks in July.
He has not been seen on the track since he finished second to Gospel Choir in the Yorkshire Cup after he had run away with the Sagaro Stakes at Ascot in April.
"We're very happy with him. He's back in exercise and he's doing well," said the Newmarket handler.
"It just depends whether we will still have time for him to go for the Prix Royal-Oak. That is the only race left for him.
"He's not going to make the Cadran, but the Royal-Oak is at the end of October so we still have a little bit of time.
"We are hoping he might be fine for that."
Soft ground is a pre-requisite for Tac de Boistron and going conditions will also influence whether stablemate Naadirr will run in the Qipco British Champions Sprint at Ascot.
The six-furlong Group Two on October 18 is the only possible target left this season for the three-year-old with Botti having one eye on the 2015 campaign already.
The Newmarket trainer was delighted Naadirr finally got his head in front this term in the Listed Garrowby Stakes at York after several near misses in good company.
"He's in good form and seems well after the race. He's been knocking on the door and finally got one," said Botti.
"He'd been unlucky a couple of times, but we always thought he was up to that level.
"He's done nothing wrong this year and I think he could be an exciting sprinter next year.
"Obviously, Ascot on Champions Day would be the next target as long as the ground isn't soft. We would not risk him if the ground wasn't right."