John Gosden will saddle both Royal Artillery and Cymric in the Heron

 PICTURE: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

Preview: Sandown, Thursday

Heron Stakes (Listed Race) 3yo, 1m14y

ROYAL ARTILLERY is primed for a belated return to action in which his jockey Ryan Moore is bidding for a hat-trick following wins on Montiridge (2014) and Consort a year ago.

Moore, who teams up with John Gosden’s unbeaten colt as part of his arrangement with owners Coolmore, has not as yet ridden the son of War Front in a race but did partner him in a satisfactory workout before racing at Newmarket on 1,000 Guineas day.

Winner of his sole start in a seven-furlong maiden at Doncaster last backend, Royal Artillery was originally being pointed at the French 2,000 Guineas but Gosden has opted to set his sights a little lower on his return with a view to stepping up in trip.

Short on experience

The Newmarket trainer, who also fields Cymric, said: “We’re happy with Royal Artillery at home but he’s a little short on experience and the race will bring him on. It will be nice to see him back and I’d expect to see him doing all his best work late on as he could well be a mile-and-a-quarter horse.”

Stablemate Cymric, who is top-rated in the field, had a disappointing end to his juvenile career when drawn out wide at the Breeders’ Cup at Keeneland and has yet to regain his best form. He is back in trip following a below-par effort in the Listed Newmarket Stakes last time.

Gosden said of the Godolphin-owned colt: “We tried Cymric over a mile and a quarter last time as an experiment but he didn’t appear to stay. We;re dropping him back and he’s won at the track before.”

Bringing Classic form to the table is Zonderland, who finished sixth, beaten under six lengths, behind Galileo Gold in the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket last month. That effort was the son of Dutch Art’s first attempt at tonight’s trip, which his trainer is convinced is his optimum.

High regard

Clive Cox said: “Zonderland ran a great race in the Guineas considering he wasn’t really suited by the Dip and we’re hoping this track will suit him better. We’ve always held him in high regard at home and he gives the impression a mile is his trip. There are a couple of unexposed ones in there but this looks like a nice opportunity for him to take the next step.”

Forge has always been regarded as a nice type by Sir Michael Stoute, who has won the Heron Stakes ten times. A classy looking son of Dubawi, Forge has been working very nicely at home since his five-length demolition job on his reappearance in a Doncaster maiden in April.

Richard Hannon also fields two runners, Palawan  and Atlantic Sun. He said: “Palawan has suffered carrying big weights in handicaps and is better in these races while Atlantic Sun should also give a good account.”