After a disappointing performance in the Royal Lodge Stakes at Newmarket, Luther is being considered for a quick return to action in the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere at ParisLongchamp on Sunday.
Trained by Charlie Fellowes, the Frankel colt was well-fancied following an impressive Listed Ascendant Stakes win at Haydock but finished a distant fifth out of seven runners on the Rowley Mile. Fellowes believes the undulating track at Newmarket contributed to Luther's underperformance and is eyeing a swift redemption on Arc Day.
"We were disappointed after Newmarket," Fellowes admitted. "He broke a stride slowly without horses on either side, and while he travelled well initially, he became unbalanced in the dip and just didn’t handle the track. He might need a flat course, maybe around a bend."
When asked about the Futurity Trophy at Doncaster on October 26, Fellowes downplayed the option, instead hinting at the possibility of the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere. "We’ll leave him in for the Lagardere and decide later this week. He didn’t seem to have a hard race at Newmarket, so I wouldn’t be too worried about running him again soon."
Another potential runner for Fellowes at ParisLongchamp is star sprinter Vadream, though she is also entered for the Bengough Stakes at Ascot on Saturday. "We’ll decide closer to the time," Fellowes said. "If the ground is good to soft in France, we’ll likely head to Ascot instead."