Trainer Clive Cox revealed today that his stable star Xtension could run in the StanJames.com 2,000 Guineas without a prep run after progressing well throughout the winter.
Xtension has already exhibited top-class form on Newmarket’s Rowley Mile course when finishing third in the Group One Jumeirah Dewhurst Stakes in which he finished only
a neck and nose behind Beethoven .
He son of Xaar won two of four starts last term, including the Group Two Vintage Stakes at Goodwood, and was also runner-up to Canford Cliffs in the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot.
Cox said today: “Xtension has wintered very well and I am pleased to say that we have had a good start with his training. He is pleasing me with his build-up at this stage.
“He would not get a penalty in the Greenham (Newbury, 17th April), so that is an option before Newmarket but, ground dependent, we would not be at all worried about running him in the StanJames.com 2000 Guineas first time up.
“I am very confident that, although he is very lightly raced, he is obviously more experienced than when he ran in the Dewhurst off the back of a break. I think, in this day and age, I would be quite happy taking him to the Guineas without a prep.
“The Dewhurst is what it is - a Group One race - and he showed a very high level of performance at that stage of his career. I am quite satisfied and would expect him to have improved and progressed through the winter.”
Xtension is currently a top priced 33-1 shot with sponsors Stan James.
