Injury-hit Muwaary returns at York

MUWAARY will attempt to relaunch his career and put his injury problems behind him when making his first start in 698 days in the Best Western Ganton Stakes at York today.

Having finished fifth on his last start in the 2014 renewal of the Prix Jean Prat, the John Gosden-trained five-year-old will take a drop down to Listed class on his return to action under former champion jockey Paul Hanagan.

Despite the son of Oasis Dream boasting some useful form figures, connections are keeping their feet on the ground as to what they hope to achieve given his lengthy absence.

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Angus Gold, racing manager to owner Hamdan Al Maktoum, said: “He’s had lots of problems but he has always been a talented horse.

“It’s great to see him back.

“It was just a lot of niggling injuries that kept him away. He had a hind leg issue, then he pulled a muscle.

“He just did lots of little things, the hind leg was the main one.

“He must be showing something as he would not be running if not. It is, though, a case of getting him back on track and seeing what happens.”

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The famous blue and white silks will also be carried in the race by the William Haggas-trained Mutakayyef.

Meanwhile, Leyburn trainer Karl Burke expects the step back up to a mile to suit course winner You’re Fired. Last year’s winner Top Notch Tonto is one of two runners in the race for Malton’s Brian Ellison alongside Baraweez.

Angel Meadow, Micky Hammond’s first two-year-old runner of the campaign, delivered a 66-1 surprise in the Mel Brittain EBF Novice Stakes at York which honoured the memory of the late Yorkshire trainer.

The daughter of Mayson overcame a tardy start to challenge in the final furlong under PJ McDonald and hold off the attentions of Dundunah by a head. Eltanin was two and a half lengths away in third.

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“We’ve only got five two-year-olds and she’s our first to run,” said Middleham-based Hammond. “We’re not really renowned for two-year-old winners, more three-year-old novice hurdlers.”

Meanwhile, Melaniemillie took the SKF Rous Selling Stakes for Malton trainer Ollie Pears and jockey Jacob Butterfield – the winning filly is entered at Ripon next Wednesday.

Duke Of Firenze, a winner at York last month before finishing third in last weekend’s Dash at Epsom on Derby day, makes a quick reappearance in today’s William Hill Scottish Sprint Cup at Musselburgh.

“He’s been good and has come out of Epsom lovely. I thought he ran a cracker on ground that was a bit soft,” said Bawtry-based trainer David Griffiths. “He ran a really pleasing race. The winner Caspian Prince is a good one on his day and the second Kimberella was very unlucky. He’s running better with his races close together.”

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Peter Niven’s Clever Cookie, winner of last month’s Yorkshire Cup on the Knavesmire, is one of 21 entries for the Gold Cup In Honour Of The Queen’s 90th Birthday at Royal Ascot next Thursday. The field is headed by Aidan O’Brien’s Irish St Leger winner Order Of St George.

Ripon jump jockey Andrew Thornton inched another notch nearer the 1,000 winner landmark when Midnight Sapphire prevailed at Newton Abbot yesterday – this was the weighing room veteran’s 995th career victory following a recent run of success.

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