Laughing Lashes seeks Oaks revenge

Harrington’s Irish 1,000 Guineas third was beaten less than a length when fourth in the Irish Oaks, behind winner Blue Bunting, runner-up Banimpire and third Wonder Of Wonders.

All four are set for Knavesmire, ground permitting, and Harrington said: “She is in the Yorkshire Oaks and, provided the ground stays good with no firm in it, that’s where we are aiming her. Fran (Berry) will ride.

“The first four from the Irish Oaks all look like lining up there. It’s exciting and with a bit of luck we might reverse form with a few of them, but if we are in the shake-up I’ll be delighted.”

Aidan O’Brien indicated that he will be represented by Wonder Of Wonders rather than Misty For Me. He said: “I think Wonder Of Wonders will go for the Yorkshire Oaks. She’s seems very well and I just hope the ground is not too soft for her.”

B Fifty Two is to be aimed at the Irish Thoroughbred Marketing Gimcrack Stakes after his fine effort in France.

Trainer John Hills was delighted with the youngster’s effort at Deauville where he was only collared in the closing stages by the unbeaten Dabirsim in a Group Three contest.

That run has persuaded the Lambourn trainer to run the son of Dark Angel in the six-furlong Group Two at York on Friday.

He said: “He’s in tremendous form and the most likely target for him is the Gimcrack.

“We were very pleased with him in France. I always thought there wasn’t much between him and Boomerang Bob and he went some way to proving that. He’ll go for the Gimcrack with a good chance.”

Hills revealed that his other smart two-year-old Boomerang Bob, runner-up in the Norfolk Stakes, is set to return to action in the Dubai Duty Free Mill Reef Stakes at Newbury on September 17.

“He’s had a little bit of a summer cold, so he won’t be out again until September,” he added.

“He’ll most likely go for the Mill Reef. It’s a shame, but these things happen and you just have to accept it and get on with it.”

George Margarson aims to give exciting two-year-old Rebellious Guest two or three more runs this season, with the Gimcrack Stakes still a possibility for the son of Cockney Rebel.

The Newmarket trainer makes no secret of the high regard in which he holds the colt, who won in good style at Windsor for the second time, his only defeat coming in the Coventry Stakes. Margarson said: “He’s come out of his last race in really good form and he looks to have come on for it. He’s in everything, obviously. He might go for the Mill Reef and then if he comes through that okay he might have a crack at the Middle Park or the Dewhurst.

“I’ve spoken to (jockey) Tom (Queally) and he holds him in high regard as well.

“My biggest problem is that he’s in the 300-grand sales race at Doncaster early next month. It’s a big pot, but for me he is a proper horse and one for next year as well.

“Whether I want to run him in a massive field against sharp two-year-olds at that stage of his career, I don’t know.

“He’s also in the Criterium (Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere) at Longchamp as well on Arc day. He’s got plenty of options.

“I’ve left him in the Gimcrack at York on Friday. I’ll have a look at the runners and if it’s going to be a small field then I might be tempted.

“My thoughts at the moment are to give him a break, then the Mill Reef and then the Middle Park or Dewhurst. I think he will get seven furlongs.

“It’s great to have a nice horse again and I hope things keep going right for him.”

Title-chasing jockey Silvestre de Sousa returned to action at Ponterfact with a winner and has been booked by Richard Hannon for the unbeaten Queen Mary winner Best Terms in the Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes on Friday, and is relishing the opportunity.

He said: “I am looking forward riding her. I am very pleased to be asked to ride. She is a very good filly and it is great to have a chance of winning a Group One race.

“I’ll have no problem doing the weight (7st 12lb), I can even have a bit of breakfast!”

Best Terms also holds an engagement in the Jaguar Cars Lowther Stakes on Thursday, but is an intended runner against her elders, according to Richard Hannon, who has booked de Sousa.

He said: “She is a very sharp filly, and very quick. I think the Nunthorpe is the right route for her. I have won the race with a two-year-old before (Lyric Fantasy). I rang Silvestre’s agent and was pleased he was available.”