Lord North faces younger rivals in the bet365 Mile

The horse in question is now eight years old and has not been performing at his best in his last two starts at Southwell and Meydan. His disappointing eighth place finish at Meydan last month has raised questions about whether he still retains his abilities as he gets older. Although he seemed like a potential Group 1 winner at the age of two, he fell short in the Dewhurst race and showed regression last year after an impressive start at Newmarket.

There are doubts about his progression, as indicated by his odds-on defeats in Group 3 races at Goodwood and York in August. However, there is also the possibility that he performs best when fresh, making this upcoming race after a 244-day break a crucial test for him. His recent win at the Doncaster Mile marked his highest Racing Post Rating (RPR) at 117, significantly surpassing the average rating for a Listed race.

Charyn, Poker Face, Flight Plan, and Witch Hunter, who have had mixed success in Group races, are also expected to compete. Charyn struggled in Group 1 company last season, while Poker Face and Flight Plan are carrying penalties. Witch Hunter, on the other hand, needs to demonstrate that he can handle the mile distance.

The trainer expressed confidence in the horse’s readiness for the race, following his win at Doncaster, and mentioned that the Lockinge Stakes is being considered for the future. The trainer also emphasized the horse’s improvement over the past year and highlighted his ability to perform well when fresh. It is noted that the horse has previously won at the course and has a record of performing strongly after a break.

In conclusion, the upcoming race is expected to be competitive, but the trainer is optimistic about the horse’s performance and believes he will put in a good effort.