Appleby expecting Pinatubo success

Charlie Appleby says he wold be “disappointed” if Pinatubo doesn’t win the Qatar Prix Jean Prat at Deauville on Sunday.

Pinatubo boasted a spotless record in 2019, winning all six outings, but this year has not been as easy and he has yet to taste success from two starts, ending up third at Newmarket on June 6 and second at Royal Ascot two weeks’ later.

Despite failing to get back into the winners’ circle, connections have been happy with both of those performances and the three-year-old will likely go off favourite in Sunday’s feature race at Deauville.

The Godolphin-owned charge will face 10 rivals in the seven-furlong contest in France, including the likes of Lope Y Fernandez, Arizona and Molatham, but Appleby is only eyeing one outcome.

“We’ve been delighted with Pinatubo going into the Prix Jean Prat. He has put up two gallant performances over a mile but the drop back to seven furlongs should suit,” he was quoted as saying by the Racing Post. “We feel he sees the mile out but has just been outstayed on both occasions this season.

“This is hopefully the right race for him to get his head back in front. We know that the distance is well within his comfort zone and its his last opportunity to take on three-year-olds at this level. He’s in good order and we’ll be disappointed if he doesn’t win.”

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