Chancellor heads into Saturday evening’s Tandridge Stakes at Southwell with growing momentum, as the progressive miler looks to convert recent consistency into a valuable Listed success. The John and Thady Gosden-trained runner arrives with strong credentials following a sequence of encouraging all-weather performances that have rekindled early expectations.
The son of Kingman showed notable promise earlier in his career, including two victories at Doncaster in 2024, but truly began to flourish towards the close of last season after undergoing wind surgery and a subsequent gelding operation. Those procedures appear to have helped unlock his potential, with the five-year-old returning stronger and more assured in his recent appearances.
Chancellor resumed action with a determined victory at Kempton Park in November, overcoming a rating of 99 with a late surge over seven furlongs. He then confirmed his progress when finishing a closing neck second behind the dependable Holloway Boy when stepped up to a mile in Listed company at the same venue.
Regular rider Robert Havlin has been encouraged by the gelding’s renewed consistency and attitude.
“Chancellor has got back on track since he returned from a break,” Havlin said. “He is a straightforward individual on a nice upward curve and we think he comes here in good shape.
“The two runs at Kempton were very pleasing; he got up in the final strides over seven furlongs and the second to Holloway Boy stepping up to the mile was a great effort. Holloway Boy is a solid yardstick and we gained on him all the way to the line.
“We think Chancellor could have some untapped potential. People should remember that he was favourite for the Champagne Stakes before he bust the stalls open. He is lightly raced and we hope he can have some nice targets later in the year.”
Strong Rivals Line Up in Tandridge Stakes
The Tandridge Stakes has attracted a deep and competitive field, with several proven performers looking to stake their claim.
Tyrrhenian Sea returns as a notable contender after producing a standout display in this contest last year when the race was staged at Lingfield Park, defeating high-class opposition by nearly three lengths. The experienced eight-year-old, trained by Roger Varian, has maintained solid form this winter, finishing third in Listed company before narrowly missing out in a ten-furlong contest at Lingfield.
Dear My Friend also commands attention on his return from a lengthy absence. The Charlie Johnston-trained six-year-old has built an impressive record on artificial surfaces, including victory in this race two seasons ago along with a Listed triumph on Finals Day in 2023. If returning in peak condition, he has the credentials to challenge once more.
Another accomplished performer, Witch Hunter, adds further depth to the field. The Royal Ascot scorer, who captured a Group Two prize in 2023, arrives after landing a significant mile contest at Newcastle and continues to showcase his versatility and resilience.
International interest is supplied by Skylight Brochard, trained in Chantilly by Tim Donworth. The Dutch-bred five-year-old has compiled four career victories and arrives following an excellent effort when pushing France’s leading all-weather performer to a narrow margin at Cagnes-sur-Mer recently.
Completing the line-up are Storm Star, last season’s mile final winner who seeks to bounce back from a below-par effort last time, and the reliable handicap performer Two Tempting, ensuring a high-quality and tightly matched renewal.
With improving form, favourable conditions and confidence building around his recent efforts, Chancellor appears poised to deliver a bold performance as he attempts to secure his first victory at this level.
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