Ancient can show the benefit of 'soft' Wisdom for Appleby

ANCIENT Wisdom should find conditions to suit as he returns to action in the Virgin Bet Foundation Stakes at Goodwood.

- By ANITA CHAMBERS Press Association sport

A Group One winner at two, he added the Bahrain Trophy to his CV last term but with this son of Dubawi at his best with cut in the ground, he has found his opportunities somewhat limited and has failed to find the kind of form that saw him place at the highest level in Germany last November. Charlie Appleby’s charge ran no sort of race on his return at Newbury in April before chasing home the admiral Al Aasy - with Almaqam, Royal Champion and Sea The Fire all behind - at Sandown subsequently, when again tried on good ground.

Good to soft going at Epsom tempted Godolphin into a Coronation Cup run but up against some proper Group One horses, he was found wanting and has subsequently spent the summer waiting for some rain, while connections also opted to geld him.

He is up against some race-fit rivals here but as long as plenty of ease remains in the ground, Ancient Wisdom should be able to rediscover the winning groove dropped right back in class.