Sumbal makes debut for Simcock

Talented Sumbal makes his public debut for David Simcock's stable today when making his second appearance at Ascot.

Just under 12 months ago the four-year-old finished unplaced in the QIPCO Champion Stakes on QIPCO British Champions Day at the Berkshire racecourse at that time he was under the care of Francis Graffard, who had trained him to win his first three races and later gain the runner-up spot in two Group Two races.

Given a midsummer holiday at Sheikh Fahad's Longholes Stud in Newmarket under the eye of Lou Cornwell, Sumbal stayed in the town when returned to training, this time under Simcock, who is looking forward to running the colt in today's Gr.3 Gigaset Cumberland Lodge Stakes (14.30). He faces eight rivals and Oisin Murphy rides.

Simcock, pictured right, says: ‚"Sumbal has done everything asked of him since he came in. He is a kind horse, trains well and has done everything asked of him. It is difficult, not knowing the horse, how fit he is and he will probably improve for the run.‚"

Sumbal has shown he can handle soft ground, and Simcock adds: ‚"Rain is forecast and I hope it arrives.‚"

Murphy also rides Qatar Racing's Strath Burn in the following race, the Gr.3 John Guest Bengough Stakes (15.05), in which ten horses go to post, and he then lines up on Suzi's Connoisseur in the £180,000 Totescoop6 Challenge Cup Handicap. Trainer Stuart Williams is happy with the horse's draw in stall 18, saying: ‚"I'd prefer to be on the stands side as it probably means he'll have a bit more room to operate in.‚"

Andrea Atzeni, who held Murphy's role as no.1 jockey to Qatar Racing until the end of last year, dons the colours again this afternoon when riding Fourth Way for his retained stable, that of Roger Varian. She is one of 14 runners in a fillies' handicap (14.50) at Newmarket, and while she has not been in action since the spring, Varian is happy that she can run with credit off a mark of 93 in what looks a very open race.

Photo of trainer David Simcock with Channel 4 Racing's Nick Luck: Laurence Squire