Long-awaited return to the track for Carlton House

Dubai: He's back. It's been 340 days since Carlton House, the horse owned by Queen Elizabeth II, visited a racecourse, but he is now poised for a dramatic return to action at Sandown when he headlines a field of six in today's Brigadier Gerard Stakes (G3).

The Street Cry colt won last year's Dante Stakes (G1) and was third in the Epsom Derby (G1), before finishing fourth to Treasure Beach in the Irish Derby (G1) at the Curragh in June.

Today he takes his first step in what appears to be an ambituous summer programme that will include prime targets like the Prince of Wales' Stakes (G1), the Eclipse Stakes (G1) and the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (G1).

Carlton House was last season's most-talked-about horse given the fact that he was a reciprocal gift from His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to the Queen as a token of his gratitude for the Godolphin winner Highland Glen that she gave him in 2009.

The colt is trained by Sir Michael Stoute who has won the Brigadier Gerard Stakes on six occasions with Stagecraft (1991), Opera House (1992), Pilsudski (1996), Insatiable (1998), Notnowcato (2006), Workforce (2011).

Commenting on Carlton Houses' reappearance John Warren, the Queen's racing manager said: "We're really pleased to have him back and Sir Michael is very happy with him.

"This is a good starting point for him over 10 furlongs and a good opportunity to learn something about his trip, which is important on his first start. It is a good place to start and we will take it from there with him.

"Last year, Ryan Moore said he had tremendous speed and he won the Dante over 10 furlongs travelling well, but there's no reason not to keep all options open.

"Sir Michael is very happy with the way he's moving and he has shown a lot of patience to get him back."