Hanagan to board Taghrooda in time for Ebor

She is on track for the Darley Yorkshire Oaks on August 21 – day two of the Ebor festival – after becoming the first filly since Pawneese in 1976 to win the Epsom Oaks and then take on allcomers in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot in the same season. Trained by the in-form John Gosden and owned by Sheikh Hamdan al Maktoum, the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe remains the ultimate target – but connections believe the York race will put Taghrooda spot on for Paris.

Richard Hills, assistant racing manager to Sheikh Hamdan, said: “Taghrooda has been great since Ascot and the plan now is for us to head to the Yorkshire Oaks.

“She has only had four career starts so it makes sense to keep her going and this race looks ideal.

“I was very impressed with her performance at Ascot. She has done everything we have asked of her.”

The Group One Darley Yorkshire Oaks offers record prize money of £330,000. Recent winners include Dar Re Mi (2009), Midday (2010) and the recently retired The Fugue 12 months ago who prevailed for the Gosden stable.

Taghrooda is the mount of former champion jockey Paul Hanagan who will be keen to make a quick return to the saddle after being injured at Goodwood – he is due to partner Mukhadram, trained by William Haggas, in the Juddmonte International on the Festival’s opening day. “I think he goes there as the one they all have to beat,” said Hills.

Rodrigo de Triano, the horse that was part of Lester Piggott’s sensational comeback when winning the 2000 Guineas and Juddmonte International at York in 1992, has died at the age of 25. Trainer Peter Chapple-Hyam tweeted: “Sleep well, my boy. Simply the best.”

The Wow Signal will miss the Keeneland Phoenix Stakes at the Curragh on Sunday. Malton trainer John Quinn’s unbeaten Royal Ascot winner scoped dirty after a workout yesterday.