Via Dubai, Bathyron is following Westerner’s path of success to Gold Cup at Royal Ascot

Bathyron was never competitive in the Dubai Gold Cup in March, but with winner Brown Panther ruled out and a new set of rivals, French trainer Pia Brandt is glad to be back with just her second runner, writes Geoffrey Riddle.

Bathyron works on the track at Meydan Racecourse in Dubai on March 25, 2015. Courtesy Dubai Racing Club

ASCOT, ENGLAND // Pia Brandt used Meydan as a stepping stone for Royal Ascot with L’amour de Ma Vie last year and the French trainer is back here 12 months on having plotted the same route with Bathyron.

L’amour De Ma Vie took the Balanchine Stakes at Meydan during a three-race spell in Dubai. On her return to Europe she found Tuesday’s Queen Anne Stakes second Esoterique just too good in the Duke Of Cambridge Stakes.

Bathyron was never competitive in the Dubai Gold Cup in March, but with winner Brown Panther ruled out last week and a new set of rivals, the Chantilly handler is glad to be back with just her second runner.

“I had my first Royal Ascot runner last year and it was a great experience,” she said. “The atmosphere was very special – it was the biggest moment of my year.”

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No French horse has won the Gold Cup at Ascot since the great Sagaro in 1977, but Westerner won in 2005 when the meeting was staged at York.

Bathyron was only eighth at Meydan but came back to Longchamp last month to win the Group 2 Prix Vicomtesse Vigier, the same race Westerner warmed up in.

“The Prix Vicomtesse Vigier was designed to bring Bathyrhon on for Ascot and I think that it has done just that,” Brandt said. “He made all the running at a good pace, relaxing in front before kicking away from them at the finish.

“The Gold Cup has been the plan ever since he showed that he could cope with the two-and-a-half-mile distance in the Prix du Cadran last October. We thought that it would be a nice adventure.”

Bathyron has the benefit of jockey Maxime Guyon, who struck on Solow in the Queen Anne Stakes on Tuesday.

As a five-year-old son of German sire Monsun, there is the suspicion that Bathyron might be even better next year, but his potent turn of foot and confirmed ability to stay is an intoxicating blend.

Brandt is concerned that Bathryon comes to Ascot a year too soon, but is happy to take the gamble.

“His big strength is his turn of foot, if it is used at the right moment. Not many stayers can quicken like he can; the jockey just has to be cool and wait.

“I am a bit concerned that he might not be mature enough yet to deal with the parade and the big crowd. He will be wearing a lip chain to help him keep calm.”

Bathyron faces 13 rivals, including Dermot Weld’s Forgotten Rules, who won the Vintage Crop Stakes at Navan in Ireland last month.

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