Oxx hoping for good Newmarket ground

John Oxx has reported Azamour to be in good order ahead of his bid to achieve a Champion Stakes double at Newmarket on Saturday…

John Oxx has reported Azamour to be in good order ahead of his bid to achieve a Champion Stakes double at Newmarket on Saturday.

The colt landed the Baileys Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown last month and, if successful in the Emirates Airline Champion Stakes, he will become the first horse since Pilsudski in 1997 to win both the Group One contests in the same season.

Oxx's only concern is that the ground does not become testing, as his star performer is yet to tackle conditions slower that good this term.

"He's in good shape and the last couple of weeks have gone well for him," the Kildare trainer told the Racing Post. "We are just keeping our fingers crossed that he stays that way and the ground stays right for him.

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"We'd run if it was on the soft side of good, even though he wants it faster, but soft ground might make us think again."

The current going at Newmarket is good, good to firm in places.