Minzaal aimed at York’s Gimcrack but Northumberland Plate winner Caravan of Hope may skip Ebor

Owen Burrows is considering testing the credentials of Minzaal in the Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Gimcrack Stakes at York on Friday week.
Caravan Of Hope ridden by Harry Bentley wins The Betfair Northumberland Plate Handicap Stakes at Newcastle Racecourse. PA Photo. Issue date: Saturday June 27, 2020. See PA story RACING Newcastle. Photo credit should read: Dan Abraham/PA WireCaravan Of Hope ridden by Harry Bentley wins The Betfair Northumberland Plate Handicap Stakes at Newcastle Racecourse. PA Photo. Issue date: Saturday June 27, 2020. See PA story RACING Newcastle. Photo credit should read: Dan Abraham/PA Wire
Caravan Of Hope ridden by Harry Bentley wins The Betfair Northumberland Plate Handicap Stakes at Newcastle Racecourse. PA Photo. Issue date: Saturday June 27, 2020. See PA story RACING Newcastle. Photo credit should read: Dan Abraham/PA Wire

The Mehmas colt looked a smart prospect when building on a promising debut at Ascot with an effortless success at Salisbury on Sunday.

Although a final decision has yet to be made which race Minzaal will contest next, the six-furlong Group Two prize on the Knavesmire is a possible option, along with the Group Three Unibet Sirenia Stakes at Kempton on September 5.

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Burrows said: “The Mill Reef was mentioned as an option, but that isn’t until September 19, then the Middle Park is a week later. We’ve got the Gimcrack a week on Friday and the Sirenia on the first Saturday in September and they look more likely options.

“He didn’t over-do himself at Salisbury and he has a great mind on him, so I would have no problems potentially running him back quick in the Gimcrack.”

Albasheer looks set to return to the scene of his impressive six-and-a-half-length debut victory at Doncaster, with Burrows weighing up a number of options back on Town Moor for the son of Shamardal.

He said: “He was showing us a nice level of ability in his work, but I didn’t quite expect him to be that impressive as that first time out.

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“We will probably look at something back at Doncaster – you have the Champagne Stakes, the Flying Scotsman and there is a seven-furlong conditions race as well.

“Jim (Crowley) will sit and do some work on the horse and see what sort of feel he gets and that will tell us where we go.”

Twaasol will bid to return winning ways dropped back to six furlongs in the Listed British Stallion Studs EBF Ripon Champion Two Yrs Old Trophy on August 31.

Having run out a stylish winner of the Woodcote Stakes at Epsom on his penultimate start, the Adaay colt lost his unbeaten record when failing to fire on his first try over seven furlongs in the Listed Pat Eddery Stakes at Ascot.

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Burrows said: “He was a bit sore after Ascot and the ground was too quick for him. He never felt happy and Martin (Harley) said he never moved as well as he did in his previous two races.

“We will aim him at the Ripon race that we won with Enjazaat three years ago, but we will be mindful of the ground.”

Hugo Palmer warns leading Sky Bet Ebor contender Caravan Of Hope could bypass the race at York on Saturday week.

The Nathaniel gelding may swerve the prestigious mile and three-quarter prize – for which he is a general 16-1 shot – if conditions are not suitable.

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Having finished second at Wolverhampton on his seasonal return Caravan Of Hope, took a giant step forward on his latest outing when capturing the Northumberland Plate at Newcastle.

Palmer said: “The hope is to run in the Ebor, but he needs cut in the ground and there is not lots of rain around.

“He is not guaranteed to get in off 98, either, but you would like to think that would be enough to. Hopefully we can have him primed for the Ebor, if we are lucky enough to get in and conditions are right.”

Should an outing in the Ebor not materialise, Palmer will target the progressive stayer at the Cesarewitch at Newmarket in October.

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He added: “If he doesn’t run in the Ebor we will probably wait for the Cesarewitch.

“I probably wouldn’t run him in the trial as that is worth buttons.

“There is no point carrying six or seven pounds more in a valuable race for winning buttons, so we would try to protect his mark.”

The Classic-winning handler reports Fillies’ Mile runner-up Powerful Breeze to be making good progress from the rib injury she sustained earlier in the year.

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He said: “In these Covid-19 times when we are talking about curves her progression has followed the curve right from the start.

“She has never had a moment where she has gone backwards and at the same time she has never made a huge amount of improvement.

“She is nine weeks into her exercise programme and she has been cantering under a saddle since Wednesday.

“The person who rides her can’t believe how much bigger and stronger she is and while that means it might take more work to get back to full fitness, it’s a good sign as we have not missed the boat.”

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Palmer has identified the Kingdom of Bahrain Sun Chariot Stakes at Newmarket on October 3 as a possible first port of call for the daughter of Iffraaj.

He said: “The first potential target could be the Sun Chariot. Her owner Dr Ali has stated that he wants her to race at four so equally we could swim in calmer waters first. Having been so patient we wouldn’t want to throw caution to the wind.”

An outing in the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf at Keeneland in November could be on the agenda for Powerful Breeze - but only if all goes well on her comeback.

Palmer added: “I do think the nine furlongs on autumn ground in Keeneland would suit her well and it would be the only opportunity she gets to run for really good prize-money this year.

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“She would not got straight to the Breeders’ Cup though and she would have to have performed very well to go there and the owner would have to be happy.”

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