Tag Archive for: York

York clash with Field Of Gold possible for Delacroix

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Aidan O’Brien has raised the possibility of his Eclipse winner Delacroix taking on Field Of Gold in what would be a mouthwatering prospect for the Juddmonte International at York.

Sent off favourite for the Derby where he finished down the field, Delacroix bounced back in sensational style at Sandown, running down Prince of Wales’s Stakes winner Ombudsman with a fantastic turn of foot.

Field Of Gold is ante-post favourite for the York race and given he is owned by the sponsors, should he step up in trip that looks the logical place for it to happen.

O’Brien told Sky Sports Racing of Delacroix: “We were delighted with him, obviously in the Derby Ryan (Moore) felt he just got squeezed out at the top of the hill and his chance had gone then so he nursed him.

“Before the Derby he was working like a classy mile-and-a-quarter horse and Ryan had it in his head that he could even be a miler, he always felt he had a lot of pace.

“I don’t know what he did the last two furlongs but I can imagine the fractions were very quick.

“We’re not sure about what next, we’ll see how he is first and then the lads (owners) will chat to Ryan and chat amongst themselves and then tell us where they’d like to go.

“Obviously the two big ones would be York (August 20) or Leopardstown (Irish Champion Stakes, September 13), both or one so we’ll see how he is and they’ll decide what they want to do then.”

York one of the options being explored for rising star Daryz

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The Juddmonte International Stakes is “definitely an option” for the exciting Daryz, as connections search for the ideal route to the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.

The regally-bred son of Sea The Stars impressively enhanced his unbeaten record in Saint-Cloud’s Prix Eugene Adam, with trainer Francis-Henri Graffard said to be “quite interested” on another York raid, having seen Calandagan chase home City Of Troy 12 months ago in a race since officially recognised as the best in the world.

“We’re slightly scratching our heads with Daryz and we would need to sit down with Princess Zahra as well as there are several options we can take with the horse,” said Nemone Routh, racing manager for owners the Aga Khan Studs in France.

“I know Francis is quite interested in the idea of bringing him to the Juddmonte International and he’s obviously done very well over that trip and we’ve only ever run him him over a mile and a quarter, so it is the right trip for him.

“It would be a big ask as Sunday was only his fourth start, but he’s an improving horse and we’re really excited by him, he’s bred in the purple and a proper horse.”

Daryz entered the Arc picture after claiming the scalp of George Scott’s Bay City Roller at Saint-Cloud, with some firms going as short as 12-1 for Europe’s richest middle-distance prize.

And that race is firmly in connections’ thoughts as they also consider a long-established stepping stone closer to home ahead of the ParisLongchamp feature on October 5.

Routh added: “We have an eye on the Arc at the end of the year, but he needs to run before that and there’s several different races he could run in. He could have a traditional prep for the Arc in the Prix Niel or he could take in something like York.

“We’ll have to weigh everything up with him as he is still a little immature, but he’s improved with every race and York is definitely an option. We will just have to see what is the right option as we haven’t quite figured that out.”

With King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes-bound Calandagan also entered, Routh continued: “We would be very happy to have a runner in the race, we’re just not quite sure at this stage if it will be Daryz.

“It will come down to what the trainer thinks and what the owner thinks, but we wanted to have both Calandagan and Daryz entered for York to give us the option. We had a great time with Calandagan there last year and it’s a great track and the Juddmonte International a great race.”

‘Fantasy racing’ for York with Japanese superstar in Juddmonte International mix

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Danon Decile, winner of the Dubai Sheema Classic for Japan, was the surprise name among 28 entries for the Juddmonte International at York on August 20 – and excitement is already building on the Knavesmire.

Last year’s Japanese Derby winner travelled to Dubai as something of an unknown quantity having subsequently finished only sixth in the Japanese St Leger, after which he was a close third in the Arima Kinen and won a Group Two.

Relatively unconsidered in the betting for the Sheema Classic, he beat Calandgan by a length and a quarter in the Meydan feature, with Rebel’s Romance adding substance to the form in fourth.

Should he make the journey he may be joined from Japan by Tenno Sho winner Redentor.

York’s chief executive William Derby said: “It’s hugely exciting and I’m thrilled that we’ve got two entries from Japan.

“Obviously I saw him in Dubai when he won the Sheema Classic, he was devastating that night and he’s among the top three (rated) turf horses in the world.”

The 10-furlong Group One was again officially the best race in the world last year, when City Of Troy beat Calandagan, and while the winner is now at stud the runner-up could be back for Francis-Henri Graffard who has also entered his hugely exciting three-year-old Daryz.

Field Of Gold for the sponsors, Ombudsman, Lead Artist, Detain and the unexposed Nahraan give John and Thady Gosden an enviable hand.

Camille Pissarro, Henri Matisse, Los Angeles, Lambourn, Minnie Hauk and Whirl are part of Aidan O’Brien’s squad.

City Of Troy beat Calandagan in last year's Juddmonte International
City Of Troy beat Calandagan in last year’s Juddmonte International (Mike Egerton/PA)

The 2000 Guineas winner Ruling Court, Almaqam and Anmaat, all entered for the Eclipse this weekend, are engaged.

Derby went on: “It’s so exciting for our flagship race, that was rated the Longines best race in the world last year, to have such a potential field.

“We hope success breeds success and with prize-money of £1.25million it’s put us on a global stage.

“With Field Of Gold and many others in there it looks like the best turf middle-distance horses in the world could be heading our way, at this early stage, admittedly.

“It was great to see Calandagan finally get his Group One at the weekend having run a blinder behind City Of Troy last year, he could be back again, but his stablemate has been mentioned for the race and he looks very exciting.”

All the major races at the Ebor meeting have closed for entries, including a new Group One in the Pattern, the Sky Bet City of York Stakes.

“I’m delighted to see such a strong entry for that,” said Derby.

“There’s Lazzat, Inisherin, Quinault, who won on Saturday, and one horse who did catch my eye was The Lion in Winter who would be dropping back in trip.

“The Nunthorpe looks as good as ever and it was so nice to see Jim Goldie and Paul Mulrennan win at Royal Ascot with American Affair. Having won a handicap at our Dante meeting just in May, it would be some story if he can win the Nunthorpe a few months later.

“The Yorkshire Oaks has all the fillies you would expect like Aidan’s Minnie Hauk and Whirl among the three-year-olds and then there’s David O’Meara’s Estrange who looked exciting at Haydock.

“It’s that time when you play fantasy racing. I know they won’t all turn up, but we’re excited about the prospect of some of them turning up.”

Formal mixing it against the boys in Criterion

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Andrew Balding’s exciting filly Formal takes on the boys in what looks a strong renewal of the Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Criterion Stakes at York on Saturday.

The seven-furlong Group Three is being run on the Knavesmire for the first time following a switch from Newmarket and is being viewed by some as a stepping-stone to the City of York Stakes, which now carries Group One status and is run over the same course and distance at the Ebor Festival later in the summer.

Formal disappointed on her seasonal debut in the Fred Darling at Newbury, but showed her true colours when winning Epsom’s Surrey Stakes on Oaks day three weeks ago and that form received a significant boost after the runner-up Saqqara Sands landed a Listed prize at Carlisle on Wednesday.

“We were going to wait for the Oak Tree at Goodwood, but Andrew was quite keen to let her take her chance on Saturday and I don’t think he’s discounted Goodwood either,” said Chris Richardson, managing director for owners Cheveley Park Stud.

“She seems to have come out of Epsom really well and they’re very happy with her. Andrew is keen to have a go, he thinks it’s a good opportunity and seven furlongs should be her trip, so we’ll all learn a bit more about her.”

The likely favourite is the William Haggas-trained Lake Forest, who returns to action less than a fortnight after finishing fifth over a mile in the Queen Anne at Royal Ascot.

The four-year-old beat Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes winner Lazzat in the Golden Eagle in Australia last year and jockey Tom Marquand is excited to ride him back over this shorter trip.

“It was a good run at Ascot, it was a funny race as we sprinted from a good way down and it was the second wave who went over the top in Docklands and Rosallion,” Marquand told Sky Sports Racing.

“They were the best of the division and I thought he ran a respectable race.

“It’s a quick enough back up but he’s a tough little horse, he loves fast ground and seven furlongs at York should be on the money trip-wise so I’m looking forward to getting back on him.”

Paborus has won four of his six starts with Ed Bethell and will carry the Wathnan Racing colours for the first time.

Wathnan’s racing adviser, Richard Brown, said: “He wouldn’t want rattling ground so with the dry spell we’ve had we’ve just had to be patient with him.

“We’ll see what Saturday brings, he was very impressive at Thirsk last time and he’s a big horse who we hope has a big future, but we will have to mind him ground-wise.

“Ed is a great guy and one of the most impressive young trainers in the country and Wathnan are delighted to have a horse with potential with him.”

The Dylan Cunha-trained Prague was a brilliant winner of Newmarket’s Joel Stakes last season but failed to fire in the QEII at Ascot on Champions Day and has not been seen in competitive action since.

“He’s in great form – as well as I’ve ever seen him. He’s training really well,” said Cunha.

“The drop to seven furlongs is just because he’s quite keen in his races – we just want to teach him to settle. We’ve been going a mile and a mile and a quarter with him, but his mother (Princess Noor) was actually a six-furlong Group Three winner.

“It’s an experiment but if he runs in the first two he’ll go to the City of York. If it’s too short, he’ll run in the Strensall. He’s definitely going to York twice in the next two months!”

Eclipse supplement ruled out for Haatem

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There will be no Coral-Eclipse bid for dual Royal Ascot hero Haatem, with connections formulating a plan which could involve a return to a mile on his next outing.

The son of Phoenix Of Spain was one of Wathnan Racing’s Ascot heroes when winning the Jersey Stakes in 2024 and repeated the dose at this year’s Royal meeting, successfully stepping up to 10 furlongs to claim the Wolferton Stakes.

Trainer Richard Hannon mooted a tilt at Sandown’s feature Group One on Saturday week, but the Wathnan team have ruled out that option, instead considering both a return to a mile and his happy Ascot hunting ground for the Summer Mile on July 12 or a trip to York for the Sky Bet York Stakes (July 26) if deciding to continue campaigning over a mile and a quarter.

“I wouldn’t rule out going back to a mile with him as he’s a big, gross horse who takes a couple of runs to get fit and I wouldn’t even rule out that run will bring him on again,” explained Wathnan’s racing adviser Richard Brown.

“We won’t be supplementing for the Eclipse and we might look at the Summer Mile back at Ascot or the mile and a quarter Group Two at York, we just have to talk about it as a team.

“I would imagine it would be one of those two races, but don’t be surprised to see him back at a mile, as I think he’s very versatile.”

Haatem was one of five winners at Royal Ascot for the Emir of Qatar’s racing operation who left the summer showpiece buoyant after another stellar week.

New Wathnan recruit Flora Of Bermuda has bounced out of Ascot
New Wathnan recruit Flora Of Bermuda has bounced out of Ascot (Andrew Matthews/PA)

The Wathnan team are now waiting on the performance of Ascot defector Kind Of Blue at Newcastle on Saturday before finalising future options for their crack team of sprinters which includes Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes one-three Lazzat and Flora Of Bermuda.

“I would say we haven’t completely decided on plans for the sprinters and the only thing we have decided on is Flora Of Bermuda seems to have bounced out of Ascot,” said Brown.

“Andrew (Balding) says she is very fresh and as long as she keeps on showing us signs she is in good shape she will head to the July Cup.

“We’ll watch Kind Of Blue run on Saturday and then have a chat and see where is going to suit him best and where is going to suit Lazzat, we might decide to keep them apart.”

Lake Forest could be back in action at York on Saturday

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Lake Forest could be in line for a quick return to action in the Al Basti Equiworld Criterion Stakes at York on Saturday.

The William Haggas-trained four-year-old was most recently seen finishing fifth in the Queen Anne on the opening day of Royal Ascot, where he was beaten less than three lengths in a field of 10.

He is a prior Knavesmire winner, taking the Gimcrack as a two-year-old, and may now head back to the scene of that victory for the Group Three Criterion, formerly run at Newmarket’s July course.

“The way the race was run at Ascot just didn’t suit him, they went slowly and then about four furlongs out they just blasted for home,” said Sean Graham, racing manager to co-owner Tony Bloom.

“He was caught in no man’s land, but he wasn’t even beaten three lengths and I thought it was a decent run. It was a proper Group One with some very good horses involved. He’s entered for York on Saturday and William is thinking of running him.

“He’s a tough, hardy horse and he likes the quick ground – we’d like to get another run into him before the weather changes.”

Lake Forest’s last victory came in the Golden Eagle at Rosehill in November, where he defeated Jerome Reynier’s Lazzat by half a length in a field full of top-level horses, earning the best part of £3million for first place.

Lazzat was also at Royal Ascot, advertising the form of their prior meeting with success in the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes.

“In the race he won in Australia there were eight or nine Group One winners. He’s got the form in the book there, he just needs to reproduce that run,” Graham said.

“The key to the horse is he needs a strong, evenly-run pace, the prize-money is very good at York for a Group Three so hopefully they’ll all run and there’ll be a true gallop in the race.”

Nostrum poised to debut for David O’Meara at York

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Nostrum is due to make his first start for new connections in the relocated Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Criterion Stakes at York on Saturday.

The Kingman gelding was previously trained by Sir Michael Stoute for Juddmonte, who bred the talented five-year-old – who was third in the Dewhurst in his juvenile days – and campaigned him for three seasons before selling him via Tattersalls last autumn.

He was purchased for 120,000 guineas by Thoroughbred British Racing and moved to David O’Meara’s yard, with his first start for new connections likely to be in the Group Three on the Knavesmire this weekend.

The race was previously held on Newmarket’s July course, with Nostrum’s run in second last year one of several Group placings he has collected throughout his career so far.

“He’s obviously been a very good horse in the past, but he hasn’t run for a while,” said O’Meara.

“He has had a good prep, but he will probably benefit for the run and for the outing. But still, all being well, he’ll turn up on Saturday.

“We’ve had him since the October horses in training sale, the new owners bought him there and we gave him a little bit of a break before starting work with him in January.

“We’re going to see how he goes on Saturday and then we’ll plan from there.”

Goldie cool on idea of Goodwood for American Affair

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Jim Goldie is minded to miss Goodwood and wait for the Nunthorpe Stakes at York with his King Charles III Stakes hero American Affair.

The Royal Ascot hero is the third generation of the family Goldie has trained, with American Affair’s dam, Classy Anne, by Orientor whom Goldie guided with great success.

American Affair was, though, Goldie’s first ever Group One winner after several near-misses and he now has more big targets in his sights for the Paul Mulrennan-ridden five-year-old.

American Affair gets a well-deserved pat from Paul Mulrennan
American Affair gets a well-deserved pat from Paul Mulrennan (John Walton/PA)

“It’s just started to sink in. He’s come out of the race well and he’s been out on the gallops yesterday and today,” said Goldie on Sunday.

“The stars aligned, but that is quite often the case with good horses. I still don’t think he’s quite as good as Orientor was, but I probably had him early enough in my career and I learned a lot from him. Fortunately for me we kept him an entire which looks very shrewd now!

“We learned a lot from the likes of him, Jack Dexter and Hawkeyethenoo. I’m looking forward to seeing where this horse will peak.”

Looking to the future Goldie does not believe Goodwood’s downhill five furlongs is totally suitable in the King George Stakes.

The King with winning rider Paul Mulrennan
The King with winning rider Paul Mulrennan (Andrew Matthews/PA)

“Five furlongs up a hill at Ascot is the perfect fit for him, I always thought it might be, so I’m not sure Goodwood will suit him going downhill,” he said.

“Otherwise we will wait for York and the Nunthorpe where we might have to take on a two-year-old or two which will be interesting.”

Even further afield, American Affair now has an all-expenses paid trip to the Breeders’ Cup to look forward to.

“We’ll have to have a serious think about the Breeders’ Cup if they are going to pay. I can’t think of any other horse trained in Scotland to have run at it!” said Goldie.

York Eyecatcher Rikki Tiki Tavi promises plenty

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Kevin Ryan’s Rikki Tiki Tavi suggested he had a bright future when picking up a silver medal on debut at York.

The son of Bungle Inthejungle was contesting the same maiden the Ryan team won with the smart The Strikin Viking 12 months ago and showed plenty of speed to be up with the pace throughout.

His inexperience perhaps cost him when it mattered in the closing stages, as Ralph Beckett’s Egoli kept on well to scoop first prize, but it was a performance that points towards a visit to the winner’s enclosure at some point during his two-year-old season.

Hucklesbrook survives horsebox drama to win York feature

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Hucklesbrook proved that all is well that ends well when taking the valuable Churchill Tyres Supporting Macmillan Sprint Handicap at York.

Roger Teal’s bay was ground to a halt en route to the track as the horsebox he was travelling in broke down, with Teal then required to rescue him in the yard’s second lorry to ensure he did not miss his date on the Knavesmire.

The six-hour trip clearly took no toll on the gelding, who joined forces with York local Joanna Mason as a 16-1 shot among a field of 18 vying for the winning prize pot of nearly £65,000.

His one-length victory proved the jockey booking to be a shrewd one as Mason pinged him out of the stalls and the pair never looked to be in trouble at any point thereafter.

“He was great, he won very nicely at Leicester the last day and he’d come forward in his work,” said Teal.

“We were quite bullish he’d run a big race here. He got a nice draw in the middle and that was Joanna’s first ride for me.

“When the weights first came out he had 8st 8lb and it was hard to find a rider, but Joanna is a good Yorkshire girl and she knows this track like the back of her hand.

“She’s a very good rider and it’s all worked perfectly.”

Reflecting on his mechanical drama Teal said: “This morning I had to get from the gallops back to the yard to pick up the second horsebox, and then race down and pick him up when the box he was on broke down.

“Luckily he didn’t fret, but he’s had six hours on the horsebox and he’s done that very well considering.”

Owners Rae and Carol Borras were in attendance to witness the victory, and the former quipped: “Have you ever heard of the phrase ‘all’s well that ends well?'”

Consistent Al Qareem bags another big prize

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Al Qareem shone on the Knavesmire with an impressive success in the Sky Bet Race To The Ebor Grand Cup Stakes.

Karl Burke and Nick Bradley Racing’s reliable six-year-old was a 9-2 chance under Clifford Lee, with Willie Mullins’ 2023 Ebor winner Absurde the even-money favourite having travelled over from Ireland.

It was those two who did battle from a long way out as the Listed event reached a crucial stage, but Al Qareem is not a horse to shy away from a battle and he put his head down to pull clear and prevail by four and a half lengths.

“He’s so honest, he’s a very sound horse and he just does it every time you ask him to,” said Burke.

“When the favourite came looming up I had a smile on my face, the commentator was saying the favourite was coming after him but you know he’s going to fight for it.

“I think he’ll be handicapped out of the Ebor, but the Irish St Leger and the Curragh Cup, especially the Irish St Leger, could be very interesting.

“It’s on a lovely, big, galloping track (Curragh) and he stays that one-mile-six (furlongs) so well. They are the two races we’ll be looking at.”

York Eyecatcher See That Storm remains on the upgrade

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Ed Bethell’s See That Storm showed he is still improving when catching a tartar at York on Friday in the shape of Burrito.

Since joining Bethell from Andrew Balding, See That Storm won his first four races before being beaten a nose in the Zetland Gold Cup at Redcar.

Raised 4lb for that near-miss, he then had the misfortune of bumping into what is surely a Group horse in the making on the Knavesmire, but given he was beaten almost two lengths, the handicapper should not alter his mark much.

Burrito proves tasty for favourite-backers on the Knavesmire

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Burrito looks booked for bigger and better things after taking his record to three wins from four outings at York on Friday.

With £70,000 up for grabs in the Seat Unique Handicap, a competitive field had been gathered. But John and Thady Gosden’s four-year-old stood out both in the racecard and in the paddock beforehand.

James Doyle – on his only ride of the afternoon – overcame a tricky draw to put his partner into contention with two furlongs to run and set about chasing See That Storm, another improving type.

With half a furlong to go Burrito was well on top and the 9-5 favourite went on to win by a length and three-quarters.

The winner holds an entry back at York in next month’s the John Smith’s Cup.

“He had a sticky draw there so we had a bit of work on early, but once we got across to the ones on our inside he did come back nicely enough,” said Doyle.

“The further he went the better today. We’ll see what the guys want to do but there’s an obvious target back here, so I’ll leave that to them.”

Tom Goff, who oversees owner George Strawbridge’s European breeding stock, said: “He’s a fantastic model. He was a bit raw last year when he was gelded at the end of it as he had a high testicle.

“You didn’t need to do it for any other reason, it just had to be done as he’s got a lovely pedigree.

“He didn’t have the ideal draw there and had to bide his time, but he managed to slot in off an adequate gallop and he’s gone through the gears up the straight. He did it really well.

“There’s an obvious race we’ll have to have a look at, but hopefully in the future there’s a stakes race or two we can have a look at.”

Sweet success means Easy Peeler unlikely to make quick return

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Easy Peeler came home strongly to win the British EBF Supporting Racing With Pride Fillies’ Handicap at York – but is unlikely to take up her entry back on the Knavesmire on Saturday.

John and Sean Quinn’s filly has yet to finish out of the first three in her career and seems to still be improving.

Having seen off Lady Of Andros to win the class two handicap, attention swiftly turned to the valuable Churchill Tyres Supporting Macmillan Sprint Handicap for which she is declared.

However, Sean Quinn feels she might have done enough for the week.

He said: “My gut feeling is she’s won a big race, it’s a very warm day and she got warm before the race so she’s expended a lot of energy.

“She’s a filly we like, so I don’t think we need to come again tomorrow because we don’t really need to. She’s won a good race there.

“She’s progressing nicely. She’s running in some nice handicaps at the moment, but she was bred by Whitsbury Manor Stud who have Havana Grey and they’ve leased her to Hot To Trot (owning syndicate), so she’ll end up back there as a broodmare and they’d love to get black type. That’s a little way from our minds at the moment.”

David Egan was predicting a bright future for India Love (13-2) after the George Boughey-trained filly made a winning debut in the Juddmonte EBF Fillies’ Restricted Novice Stakes.

The more experienced Bleep Test made a bold bid from the front but despite racing keenly early on, India Love still had enough left to win by a neck.

India Love made a winning debut under David Egan
India Love made a winning debut under David Egan (Nick Robson/PA)

“She’s been keen at home and shown plenty of enthusiasm so cover was the plan today and I’m glad we got it. I think it’s just a case of she’s very, very quick,” said Egan.

“She’ll get faster with that run and even though she was on it early on, she was very well behaved in the prelims which is half the battle.

“In a stronger race they’ll go even fast. She’s a nice filly. For a Havana Grey she was very well bought for £55,000 guineas and she’d done everything right at home.”

Andrea Pinna rode his first York winner when bringing Feel The Need with a sustained run down the outside in the Andy Thornton Hospitality Furniture 50th Anniversary Apprentice Handicap.

Feel The Need was a first York winner for Andrea Pinna
Feel The Need was a first York winner for Andrea Pinna (Nick Robson/PA)

Having just his second ride on the Knavesmire, Pinna, who rides primarily for Kevin Frost, had been booked by Michael Herrington for the five-year-old.

The 13-2 chance just got the better of course specialist Tolstoy to win by a neck.

“I saw the favourite edging closer so I just followed him and if the ground was a bit softer he would have won easier,” said Pinna.

“I wanted to drop in and see if a couple of gaps opened up, but I couldn’t see any so I just stayed on that line and he galloped on strong.

“He likes this track and soft ground suits him better.”

Brigid’s Cloak seeking new high at York

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Brigid’s Cloak will aim to continue her upward progression as she travels to York for the Churchill Tyres Supporting Macmillan Sprint Handicap.

Trained by Johnny Murtagh and owned by the Nick Bradley Racing Club, the Havana Grey filly got off the mark on the all-weather at Dundalk in April and has done little but improve since.

A run over six furlongs at the Curragh in May yielded another win, after which she was the runner-up of a premier handicap over a five-furlong trip at the same track earlier this month.

“She’s a gorgeous filly who we’ve really liked since we bought her, Havana Grey is obviously a very good stallion,” said Bradley.

“When she won for the first time this year she was just winning in turn, but she’s absolutely come on a lot since then.

“Johnny’s putting her improvement down to her behaviour at the course, she’s been great recently and she’s getting better and better.

“She’s gone up 2lb after finishing second last time. It wasn’t an easy decision to run her here, but the money is very good and my owners love having a runner – hopefully a winner – at York.

“It’s a nice race and I do think she’ll win off her mark. Whether that’s on Saturday or not, we’ll find out.”

Also involved is Roger Teal’s Hucklesbrook, a winner last time out at Leicester after starting his campaign off over six furlongs at Ascot.

“I think he needed the race at Ascot but he ran a solid race. He came forward for that at Leicester – he did very well, won nicely,” said Teal.

“Hopefully, if he brings that form to the table, then you’d put him in the mix. I don’t think he’s really ground dependent – he’s pretty versatile. He’s got a nice draw in the middle there, I think, so we’re hoping for a big run from him.”

Of the boosted prize fund offered on the Knavesmire, Teal added: “They are very few and far between, so it’s nice we can have a crack at bringing home a nice pot if we can. But it’s going to be a very competitive race, so it’s not going to be easy.”

Also in the mix is Ollie Sangster’s Tuco Salamanca, who has had a busy and fruitful year already when adding a string of placed efforts on turf to three wins on the all-weather.

Those performances have provided plenty of encouragement to owners Pompey Ventures syndicates, whose founding partner Owen Haly said: “We’re delighted he got in the race as it’s a big pot and a nice flat, straight track should suit him.

“He owes us nothing, but I hope there is more to come from him and it wouldn’t surprise me to see him run well at a nice price.”