The Xcellent one returns.....

[_ed_]

Great to see that Xcellent has recovered from his injuries, looked for a while like he may not race again.

However, going into the Stradbroke fresh? 20 months after his last race? That's a massive ask. I really like the horse but the Stradbroke is a tough race (not to mention over a distance short of his best) and I can't say I agree with them targeting it.

There's no guarantee he's the same horse he was before the injury, and I'd prefer to see him eased back into racing rather than dumped straight in at the deep end.

But he is a horse who keeps surprising me - "he can't win the Derby at his 3rd career start", "1400m G1 Mudgway fresh? Can't win...look, he's last with 400 to go!"...