Bay Bridge makes striking impression on return

Having won four out of four last year, Bay Bridge retained his positioned in the Top 40 Prospects in 2022 and Sir Michael Stoute's colt couldn't have made a more explosive start to his four year old career at Sandown on Thursday evening. The son of New Bay won a Listed event at Newmarket last backend having missed the summer and returned to action in the Group 3 Brigadier Gerard Stakes over ten furlongs. Taking on Group 1 winners Addeybb and Lord Glitters and the racefit Group 3 winner Mostahdaf, he was held up early on before taking closer order inside the final couple of furlongs. Quickening up in tremendous style he hit the front before pulling clear to register a five lengths victory. It was Sir Michael Stoute's twelfth win in the ten furlongs event and Bay Bridge looks every inch a Group 1 horse in the making. While the Group 1 Prince of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot is likely to be next, he is bred to stay a mile and a half and there must be every possibility the Prix de L'Arc de Triomphe will be the long-term target, especially as he handles ease in the ground. Indeed, fast ground is an unknown. It is great to see the head of Freemason Lodge with at least two outstanding prospects at the moment.