Appleby will wait before firming up Ruling Court agenda

Charlie Appleby has confirmed Ruling Court will target Classic glory on his return to Europe – although whether that will include the 2000 Guineas has yet to be decided.

The Justify colt – who cost €2.3million at the Arqana breeze-up sales – returned to action with a silky-smooth display under William Buick at Meydan on Saturday, his first start since finishing third to The Lion In Winter and Wimbledon Hawkeye at York in August.

Out of a High Chaparral mare, Ruling Court holds a Derby engagement and is expected to get further than a mile.

“I think Ruling Court will continue to develop and we will go back to Europe with a sharper model,” Appleby said.

“I never want to get too excited in the immediate aftermath, but we anticipated him being a 10-furlong horse, so whether we go to the Dante or take in the Guineas beforehand, we’ll see.”

However, Appleby has ruled out a trip to Newmarket for Mountain Breeze, preferring instead to aim for the French Guineas.

She was also in winning action on the Super Saturday card, scoring by the best part of four lengths.

Appleby told the Godolphin website: “I think we will look towards the French 1,000 Guineas for Mountain Breeze. She won her first two starts on the Rowley Mile, but hated the dip on both occasions, and I don’t see her running in the Guineas there.”

It has been a good week for Godolphin prospects, with Opera Ballo producing an explosive performance at Kempton on Wednesday evening.

Buick said: “This is always an exciting time of the year, albeit it is early with a long season ahead. Opera Ballo could not have done it any better at Kempton and is by an exciting sire in Ghaiyyath. Then you have this lad (Ruling Court). It is very exciting.”