Royal racehorse trainer Jamie Snowden has revealed he's spoken with Queen Camilla about Reach For The Moon's chances of providing King Charles "a boost" after a difficult week.
It was announced earlier this week that King Charles had been diagnosed with a form of cancer after it was discovered during a recent bout of treatment in hospital.
He's now said to have started regular treatments and was visited by Prince Harry on Tuesday, who landed at Heathrow earlier in the day.
The King will be stepping back from public duties as he undergoes treatment while Camilla will take on even more responsibilities to help support her husband.
King Charles and Queen Camilla will have a keen eye on Sedgefield today
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Both King and Queen will have one eye on the horse racing at Sedgefield today though with Reach For The Moon making its debut over hurdles.
Horse trainer Snowden, who began working with Reach For The Moon last summer, has revealed he spoke with Camilla after news broke of the King's cancer diagnosis.
And he's hoping the five-year-old gelding can provide a "boost" for the Royal Family.
“The Royal Family did not receive the best news on Monday, but I’ve been in touch with the Queen about Reach For The Moon," he told The Sun.
“Hopefully with a clear round of jumping he should run nicely and give all the Royal Family a boost in what has been a difficult time for them.”
Snowden is confident Reach For The Moon can go well at Sedgefield despite his lack of experience jumping.
He added: "He's taken well to jumping. He came to us last summer and we did a fair bit with him and then he went back to Sandringham for a holiday.
"He came back to us November-time and he's done very well.
"He enjoys his jumping, he jumps very neatly and accurately and his work has obviously been very good, as you would expect from a talented Flat horse, and we thought it was time to start and tip away gently.
King Charles has undergone cancer treatment now
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"I don't see why he wouldn't stay the trip, there's stamina in his pedigree, obviously the ground will be a little bit softer than he has been used to in the past and he's got to get used to jumping eight flights of hurdles.
"But if he can translate what he has done at home to the track then hopefully he should go well.
"As far as the horse is concerned we've got to start somewhere and see where he takes us."
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Reach For The Moon has never competed over hurdles
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A win for Reach For The Moon at Sedgefield could lead to an appearance at Cheltenham next month.
“First things first it would be lovely for him to win for the King and Queen," Snowden added.
“Then we will see about the Festival.”
