Orne heads several three-year-olds looking to test their Classic aspirations in the Listed BetMGM Burradon Stakes at Newcastle on Good Friday.
Six of the nine runners in the mile contest hold Classic entries, with 2,000 Guineas hopeful Orne shouldering a 5lb penalty thanks to his front-running success in the G3 Horris Hill Stakes in the autumn.
John & Thady Gosden’s runner has had two outings so far in 2024, finishing second in the Al Rayyan Mile in Qatar and third in the Listed BetMGM Spring Cup.
Habrdi was a never-nearer fifth in the same Lingfield Park race for Jane Chapple-Hyam, having ended 2023 with successive victories at Brighton, Wolverhampton and Chelmsford.
Kevin Ryan’s Irish 2,000 Guineas entry Room Service makes his first appearance of 2024, having signed off last year with a classy display in a sales race at Doncaster’s St Leger Festival.
Silent Age has won on both his starts and hopes to kick-start a good weekend for Godolphin and Charlie Appleby. The son of Dubawi hails from the same family as Measured Time and Rebel’s Romance, who are both aiming for G1 prizes on Dubai World Cup Night.
Cuban Tiger finished second to another Appleby inmate Notable Speech in a mile conditions race at Kempton Park last month, his first start since making a successful introduction for Karl Burke at Southwell in January.
Andrew Balding saddles 2,000 Guineas and Derby entry Sayedaty Sadaty, who won a Kempton Park novice and finished third in a conditions race at Epsom Downs during the second half of last year.
The Adrian Murray-trained Manhattan Dreamer is the only filly in the lineup, with the sister to US G1 victor Klimt having scored at Dundalk on her latest outing in January.
Yokohama, who made a successful debut at the course in September, and last-time-out Chelmsford winner Louis Quatorze makes their seasonal returns for John Butler and David Menuisier.
Burradon horses with Classic entries
Orne – 2,000 Guineas, Poule d'Essai des Poulains
Habrdi – German 2,000 Guineas, Poule d'Essai des Poulains
Louis Quatorze – 2,000 Guineas, Poule d'Essai des Poulains, Prix du Jockey Club
Manhattan Dreamer – 1,000 Guineas, Poule d'Essai des Pouliches
Room Service – Irish 2,000 Guineas
Sayedaty Sadaty – 2,000 Guineas, Derby, Prix du Jockey Club
The view from connections
Peter Shoemark, racing manager for John & Thady Gosden, said: “Orne won the rescheduled Horris Hill on heavy ground and then ran well on very different ground in Qatar, staying on nicely. We felt the sharp seven furlongs around Lingfield just caught him out in the Spring Cup, although it was still a solid performance with a 5lb penalty. He still has a penalty here but the straight track and return to a mile will definitely suit him better.”
Jane Chapple-Hyam, trainer of Habrdi, said: “He needed the run in the Spring Cup as we always had half an eye on this race. He had a wide draw and was almost playing catch up the whole time. He has come forward since then and moving back up to a mile should suit him. He is in a good spot at the moment.”
Karl Burke, trainer of Cuban Tiger, said: “I could not be happier with him. He ran really well at Kempton, proving he gets the mile well, and this race looked the obvious next step.”
