Connections consider Tuco Salamanca for British Champions Sprint

Ayr Gold Cup runner-up Tuco Salamanca is under consideration to be supplemented for the Qatar Racing British Champions Sprint Stakes following his gallant effort in Scotland.

Ollie Sangster’s four-year-old produced yet another career-best effort when off a lofty mark of 106 he was beaten just half a length by Pellitory.

He has now been put up to a mark of 110 and while other options at Ascot are being considered such as the Group Three Bengough Stakes early next month, connections may be tempted to roll the dice on Champions Day.

“He’ll get entered for the five-furlong Listed race at Ascot and the six-furlong Group Three Bengough Stakes on the same day at Ascot, October 3,” said Owen Haly of owners Pompey Ventures.

“We’ll have a look at different things, there’s also the Mercury Stakes, a Group Three at Dundalk as well.

“It wouldn’t be impossible that we supplement for the Champions Sprint. He’s rated 110 now and we’ve probably been in handicap company too long. We were going to go for the Flying Five, but thought we’d have one last crack at a big handicap in the Ayr Gold Cup.

“If you look at the shape of the Champions Sprint you’ve got Almeraq who is a short price but bar him Comanche Brave probably goes to the Breeders’ Cup and Hong Kong and after that it’s an open race.

“He’s definitely capable of running a good race against that opposition, but it’s whether we think closer to the time is it worth the £37,500 fee to supplement.

“After he won at the Shergar Cup we were going to use that money to supplement for the Flying Five. His earnings for the year are over £100,000 so he’s earned it.”

Haly added: “That Ascot race can thrown up weird results, as we’ve seen before. He’s been campaigned brilliantly and now we want to enjoy him for the quality horse that he is.”