William Haggas Sets Sabre Strike And Valiancy For Weekend Returns
William Haggas is preparing to send Sabre Strike to York and Valiancy to Newcastle this weekend after both horses came out of Royal Ascot well. The Newmarket trainer has moved quickly after a week in which neither runner quite landed the blow connections expected.
Sabre Strike, beaten when sixth in the Jersey Stakes, is among the entries for Saturday’s Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Criterion Stakes at York. Haggas said the colt appeared “sleepy” before Ascot and never picked up as expected, but reported him sound enough to be considered for a swift seven-furlong return.
Haggas keen to sharpen Sabre Strike
The move is a notable piece of placing from Haggas, with Sporting Life reporting that blood checks were planned before a likely run. Never So Brave, already a Group One winner over the York course and distance, could provide a stern test if both stand their ground.
Valiancy is also set for a quick turnaround in the JenningsBet Northumberland Plate at Newcastle. The stayer finished sixth in the Copper Horse Handicap at Ascot and is expected to have cheekpieces reapplied after James Doyle suggested he needed headgear back on.
For Haggas, the weekend is less about reputation repair than momentum. Sabre Strike needs his career put back on a sharper line, while Valiancy gets the two-mile test his trainer believes he wants.
