Historic hat-trick the ultimate goal for Kalpana

A return to Paris for the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe is officially off the agenda for Kalpana (image) following her triumphant return in the Aston Park Stakes at Newbury. Instead, all roads lead back to Berkshire this October as she bids for an unprecedented third consecutive victory on British Champions Day.

"We tried the Arc last year and it didn't work out and I don't think any horse has won three races consecutively on British Champions Day." trainer Andrew Balding said.

In the more immediate future, a trip to Royal Ascot beckons. "The Prince of Wales's Stakes and Hardwicke will be available to her at Royal Ascot, and I think if the ground was very soft it might make the Prince of Wales's more attractive."

Meehan mulling French Classic raid for Esna

Brian Meehan is celebrating his first victory of the new campaign after Esna showed tremendous resolve to land the Childwickbury Stud Fillies' Trial Stakes on the same Newbury card.

The stamina-sapping mile and a half is likely beyond her, with the trainer looking to keep her over shorter trips. A cross-Channel raid for the Prix de Diane now looks to be the preferred route. "The Diane is there and it's a speed track and she travelled well today. It could be a possibility," the trainer revealed, though he acknowledged the Hampton Court Stakes is also under consideration before he makes a final decision with the owners.

Royal Ascot ambitions emerge from Lockinge fallout

The Lockinge Stakes also provided plenty of vital clues for the summer festivals. William Haggas believes there is much more to come from runner-up More Thunder, who is now being aimed directly at Royal Ascot. "He will probably go to the Queen Anne now, why not? He’s a really good horse," Haggas declared.

Just three-quarters of a length further back, Karl Burke’s Zeus Olympios shaped with immense promise in third. Burke lamented his colt's late antics, stating, "He still ran a bit green and ran away from the stick a little bit a furlong out, which was a shame as a furlong and a half out I thought we were the winner." Burke confirmed they will see how he recovers before discussing Royal Ascot plans.

Meanwhile, Roger Teal’s popular Dancing Gemini outran his generous odds to finish a close fourth. The gritty performance confirmed Teal's suspicion that his charge needs a stiffer stamina test. "I think we’ll go up to 10 furlongs now and he’s proved the way he’s finished there he wants another couple of more furlongs," Teal confirmed. "He’ll take a shot at the Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot."

Elsewhere, Charlie Appleby has reshuffled his Royal Ascot pack. Opera Ballo will tactically bypass an intimidating clash with Daryz in the Prix d'Ispahan and head straight to Berkshire for the Queen Anne Stakes. "He looks like a miler and without stating the obvious, there's a good horse to beat in the Prix d'Ispahan," Appleby noted, setting up a mouth-watering clash with illustrious stablemate Notable Speech in the prestigious festival curtain-raiser next month.

Image: Newbury Racecourse