Belardo Bids For Greenham Gold

Time/Date - 14.50hrs local time/Saturday, April 18, 2015 Racecourse/Country - Newbury/UK
Surface/Distance - Turf/7f

Belardo makes his seasonal return in the seven-furlong Group Three AON Greenham Stakes at Newbury on Saturday, April 18.

The Roger Varian-trained colt was crowned European champion two-year-old last season following a superb campaign that culminated with an impressive two-length success in the Group One Dubai Dewhurst Stakes, also over seven furlongs, at Newmarket on October 17.

He was fourth to Estidhkaar in the seven-furlong Group Two At The Races Champagne Stakes at Doncaster on September 13 and easily beat Hawkesbury in a Newbury Listed race over the same distance on August 16.

The son of Lope De Vega started off with two appearances over six furlongs, coming home fourth behind Ivawood in the Group Two Portland Place Properties July Stakes at Newmarket in July and readily scoring on his debut in a Yarmouth maiden the previous month.

James Doyle partners Belardo for the first time.

Roger Varian commented: "I have been happy with Belardo throughout the winter and he has trained well this spring.

"I have always had it in my mind to run him in the Greenham as his prep race for the 2000 Guineas and I think it will put him just right for Newmarket in two weeks' time.

"He showed in the Dewhurst that he is a very high-class colt and this looks like the ideal spot to launch his three-year-old campaign."

Belardo takes on eight other three-year-olds headed by Ivawood, Estidhkaar, York maiden winner Flaming Spear and Newmarket conditions race victor Fannaan.