Cicero’s Gift primed for seasonal debut at Sandown

Surprise Champions Day winner Cicero’s Gift returns to action on Friday in Sandown’s bet365 Mile.

The Charlie Hills-trained six-year-old sprang an almighty 100-1 surprise on the big day at Ascot but Hills has always held him in the highest regard.

He is carrying a penalty for that success but since being gelded he has turned over a new leaf and Hills is hoping he can be his flag bearer this season.

“Everything looks in place. They are saying the ground is good, they always water well for this meeting,” said Hills.

“I’d like to get a run into him, I’ve been really happy with everything he’s doing at home but I just want to get him on to the track really.

“Since he’s been gelded he’s got better and better and been really consistent, it was only when he didn’t stay over 10 furlongs in the Brigadier Gerard that he hasn’t won or gone close.

“We’ll just feel our way with him this season, we could look at travelling at the end of the year but we know he handles soft ground really well.

“We’ll have a look at all the races, I have made an entry for the Prix d’Ispahan as that was closing but we’d been thinking Lockinge and then Ascot.”