Irish Leger now a realistic prospect for Blue Bajan

Trainer David O’Meara is considering races such as the Henry II Stakes at Sandown, the Curragh Cup and possibly even the Irish Field St Leger.

The nine-year-old dual-purpose performer has earned more lofty entries after only being beaten half-a-length by Duncan in the Group Two contest at York last Friday.

That was only his second race since he joined North Yorkshire-based O’Meara in February after being sidelined through injury for over a year.

“The handicapper has put him up 11lb. I suppose it’s fair enough. The winner was on 119 and had a 3lb penalty. We were rated 100 and were only beaten half a length. He is a nine-year-old, though,” said O’Meara.

“I was surprised by his performance. With his rating and being a nine-year-old and having just come back after a long lay-off, I’d have been happy if he had just beaten a couple home. To finish second like that was grand.

“He’s been having a few easy days and he might go next to Sandown for the Henry II Stakes or he might go to Ireland maybe for the Curragh Cup. We are considering a few different options with him.

“At the time we made the entry for the Irish Leger it was a bit ambitious but looking at the way he ran the other day, he might deserve to go there. There may be a small field go for it so we’ll see.”

York winner Midday could try to upstage the colts in the Investec Coronation Cup at Epsom on June 3.

Connections of Henry Cecil’s multiple Group One-winning five-year-old are giving the mile-and-a-half feature serious consideration after her successful seasonal debut in the Middleton Stakes. Midday’s owner, Khalid Abdullah, also has last year’s Derby and Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe hero Workforce among the 15 remaining entries following the latest scratchings stage.

However, the Sir Michael Stoute-trained star is likely to return to action in the Brigadier Gerard Stakes at Sandown next week. “Midday is the most likely runner of the two in the Coronation Cup,” said the owner’s racing manager, Teddy Grimthorpe.

“We were very pleased with her comeback run at York the other day and Henry says she has done well since then.”

Richard Fahey reports Wootton Bassett to have arrived home a “little bit stiff” after losing his unbeaten record in the French 2000 Guineas at Longchamp on Sunday.

Fahey is in no rush to make plans for his star colt and will see how he fares when returning to work.