Distant Storm

“Distant Storm ran a good race and Will [Buick] feels that he will come forward a bit for that as well. We were a bit further behind the second Gstaad than we were in the Dewhurst, but Will was pleased and felt that he got a lovely run. Full credit to the winner - he routed them and they were going good honest fractions I felt. There is room for improvement there. The ground has been tight over the past couple of days but everyone had to go on it and I think it was a usual first run of the season, not that you would ideally come into a Guineas needing a run, which he will naturally come forward from - Charlie Appleby, trainer.”

“After Distant Storm was beaten in the Acomb by today's winner, we thought we'd give him one more run and put him away, and then when he won the Group 3 here last time as he did we were drawn into the Dewhurst. William [Buick] said he rode like a horse who will be better with some time over winter to develop. He felt that the immaturity was coming out in him today, but he's lost nothing in defeat as we see him as a Guineas horse next year. Whether he runs in the Craven Stakes or has a racecourse gallop before that, we'll have to see - Charlie Appleby, trainer.”

“It's not the first time I've got one beat in the Acomb but it was my mistake. William was keen to get a pitch on Distant Storm early on and, to do that, he asked him from the gate and the only other time I've seen him be keen was when he was on the lead at home. We were adamant today to drop him in and let the race develop in front of him and in doing so we've seen his acceleration. I think we've seen a nice horse in the making. William was impressed and, with the way this season is stacking up with two-year-olds, my initial impression is to look at the Dewhurst. If it were sound ground conditions I'd be happy to take them on. He's definitely up there - Charlie Appleby, trainer.”

“Distant Storm is one of the nicest breeze-up horses I've seen with an eye to the future, we always felt this is a horse for next year and we'll give him a bit of time. He's still very unfurnished. He's a nice-looking horse, but still needs to strengthen before you go up a level ? if you pitch them in too soon, you'll go quickly backwards. There will be races in the autumn we can dip our toe in and allow him to progress. If he ticks the next box we can look at the Group 1 target we have pencilled in. He could be an Acomb horse - Charlie Appleby, trainer.”