Kingscote has chance to add French Derby honours to Epsom laurels

Clive Cox is backing Richard Kingscote to shine as he reunites with Ghostwriter in the Qatar Prix du Jockey Club at Chantilly on Sunday.

The Derby-winning jockey has ridden the Jeff Smith-owned colt in four of his three career starts to date, first partnering him on debut to take a Newmarket maiden back in August.

William Buick then took the ride when the son of Invincible Spirit won at Ascot the following month, but Kingscote returned to the saddle for a significant victory in the Royal Lodge back at Newmarket at the end of the season.

Ghostwriter made his three-year-old bow in the 2000 Guineas on the Rowley Mile, where he was steered to a most respectable fourth-placed finish by Kingscote in the opening colts’ Classic of the season, the form of which is already working out well.

Now the French Derby, beckons, where Kingscote will retain the ride as he bids to add the title to the Epsom win he secured aboard the Sir Michael Stoute-trained Desert Crown in 2022.

“Richard will 100 per cent ride and I’m really pleased, he rode a superb Group Two winner for us in the Temple Stakes at Haydock on Saturday,” said Cox, referring to Kerdos’ weekend triumph.

“He’s won on him (Ghostwriter) twice and he rode him in the 2000 Guineas as well.”

Of the plan of attack this weekend, Cox added: “I don’t think he’s complicated, we can organise our plans according to how the draw provides us with choices.

“He is very versatile and very balanced, I’m more than happy. The better draw you get, the better you sleep at night, but in the meantime I’m happy that he’s a balanced horse and we will make our plans according to the draw.”