Kings Shield maintains unbeaten record

Exciting three-year-old Kings Shield took a step closer to big races when winning the Betfred 'Like Us On Facebook' Conditions Stakes at Kempton on Saturday.

As the sales-topper at last year's Craven Breeze-Up Sale - when bought by David Redvers for 675,000 guineas - there's more expectation on Kings Shield's shoulders than many other horses, but he's answered every question he's been asked so far, coming clear for a largely hands-and-heels ride from Oisin Murphy on this occasion.

Kings Shield appreciated the step up to a mile - after winning over seven furlongs at Newcastle on his sole start at two - and the French 2,000 Guineas has been mooted as a target by his trainer John Gosden. The colt's new Timeform rating is 102p.

Gosden said after the Kempton race: "He has done it well. They've gone no pace and crawled around the back. I was happy how he settled.

"I was hoping he would get a lead but we didn't get one. It turned into a dash finish. It was a bit of French race as they all finished very close.

"I've not done a massive amount with him at home as he is a breeze-up horse so I've just kept him settled.

"He is in the French Guineas and that is very much what we have been talking about last week where we would like to go with him. I've got the opportunity to get another run in before France."

If Kings Shield does go for the French classic, it's hoped he'll be chasing a quick Classic double for Qatar Racing as his stablemate Roaring Lion is no bigger than 8/1 for the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket. The grey remains on track to warm up for his Classic mission in the Gr. 3 Craven Stakes - over the same course and distance as his Gr. 2 Royal Lodge Stakes success - on April 19.

Another Guineas possible is Raid, trained by David Simcock. He could run in the Gr. 3 Greenham Stakes at Newbury, while the same trainer's Worship (like Raid, by Havana Gold and unbeaten) is likely to run in a 1,000 Guineas trial, as is the Richard Hannon-trained Natural.