Prix Royal-Oak the next stop for Caballo De Mar

George Scott’s breakthrough Group One winner Caballo De Mar is pencilled in for a ParisLongchamp return in the Prix Royal-Oak.

The four-year-old has done little but improve all season, working his way from all-weather handicaps to top-level staying events in the space of a few months.

His German St Leger success proved he could make the grade, following which he stepped up to Group One company in the Prix du Cadran to give his trainer a first victory at that level.

As the British Champions Day meeting is likely to be run on unseasonably quick ground, it is instead another trip across to Channel for the French answer to the St Leger that now beckons.

“He came out of the race really well, one of his main attributes is his toughness and tenacity. He takes his racing particularly well as you can see from his record,” said Scott.

“We really want to run him again, and if the ground was soft we’d have supplemented him for Ascot but instead we’ll go for the Prix Royal-Oak back in France.

“The only gap on this horse’s dance card was at Haydock (eighth in the Old Borough Cup), but he missed the break and he was coming back from a spell in the field, which does leave him a bit stiff.

“We knew he’d need the run back, but when he’s in a sequence of races he just seems to be improving all the time.”

The Longchamp contest is likely to Caballo De Mar’s final run this term, with a top-flight staying campaign awaiting him next term rather than a winter spent overseas.

Scott said: “We’ve decided he wants cut in the ground so we’re going to save him and not send him travelling this winter, though I’m not saying he won’t end up at World Cup night as a one off.

“We’re going to save him for the nice staying races in Europe, he deserves a break and we’ll give him plenty of time.

“The Gold Cup will be his target when he comes back, but that’s a long way off and we’ll have to keep an eye on the ground.”