Top sprinter Brando to chase further Group 1 glory in France
Kevin Ryan's six-year-old finished second behind U S Navy Flag in the July Cup last weekend
KEVIN Ryan will be hoping to leave the French fried when he runs Brando in the Prix Maurice de Gheest next month.
The leading sprinter won the Deauville Group 1 last season and warmed up for a defence of his title with a cracking second in the July Cup last weekend.
The son of Pivotal has been in good order this season and has reportedly emerged from the July Cup in fine fettle.
While the €380,000 Maurice de Gheest on 5 August is his main aim, Ryan has also earmarked the British Champions Sprint in October as a future target.
Ryan said: "He's come out of it great, not a bother on him.
"I don't know what it is about Newmarket that he loves, for a big horse he handles going downhill very well."
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While Ryan was proud of Brando's performance in the July Cup, he felt the horse could have gone one better if he had been able to race with cover for longer.
He continued: "I'd have just preferred him to have racing in the larger group.
"I know the winner (U S Navy Flag) made it and stayed on really well, but if we'd have got a lead for longer, we might have been able to delay our challenge.
"He used to really love soft ground, but as he's got older he's able to handle quicker ground much better.
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"He's a typical Pivotal really, I've had a few like that.
"We'll go to France next for the Maurice de Gheest again, and then we'll think about Ascot on Champions Day again.
"We'll have to have another crack at the July Cup next year."