Leading trainer discusses his Group race contenders at Newmarket this weekend…

Star Sports ambassador George Boughey discusses the chances of his exciting trio Bow Echo, Hilitany and Awaken, who are all set to run in Group company at this week’s Cambridgeshire meeting at Newmarket.

Boughey said: “Bow Echo heads to the Group 2 Royal Lodge Stakes (1:50pm, Saturday) after a good win at Haydock last time out. His work has been good since, and he’s never really been one to take that much to get to race fitness, so we’ve just been ticking him over since. The one piece of work he did was on the Rowley Mile and it was as impressive a bit of work as we’ve had from a two-year-old.

“It was nice to get some match practice, and he couldn’t be in much better shape coming into his first Group 2 contest. He’s the type of horse that if he can take this step up in grade, then the natural next step will be to work back from the 2000 Guineas next year. We’ll likely keep him off the track for the rest of the season after this.

“Hilitany (3:00pm, Saturday) has nearly landed a perfect three from three so far in his career, and he really stepped his form up when winning at Windsor under a penalty earlier this month. The initial plan was to work back from the Mill Reef, but with the timeframe we thought the ground would be better for him at Newmarket, and I think that’s the way it’s panning out with a clear forecast. He’s a good moving horse who’ll be seen to best effect on decent ground.

“He’s stepping up from a novice win under a penalty to Group 1 company, but in a year where it looks quite an open race, we’re more than willing to take our chance. He likes to be on the front end and Newmarket favours those who like to go forward. He comes here in the best shape we could have him so I’m looking forward to seeing him step up in grade.

“Awaken (2:25pm, Friday) was disappointing at Salisbury in the Dick Poole. She was drawn in 12 on what was almost un-raceable ground – I slightly wish we hadn’t run her there, but luckily it seems to have left no marks on her. She came out of the race in great shape and has shown encouraging work since. She’s a filly that’s been crying out for the step up in trip to seven furlongs.

“I hope the extra furlong will allow her to travel with a bit more ease. They’re likely to go a decent gallop with a strong pace forecast in the race and I’m more than happy to give her a chance here. This’ll be the stiffest test she’ll have faced so far, so we’ll get a really good guide as to where we are with her and we’re looking forward to seeing how she gets on.”

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