Trainer Jedd O’Keeffe plans to keep Strait of Hormuz in Yorkshire for next race

Jedd O’Keeffe is likely to keep Strait Of Hormuz in Yorkshire for his next run following his excellent effort in defeat in the John Smith’s Cup.
Staying at home: Strait Of Hormuz [pale colours] wins at Haydock last season. Trainer Jedd O'Keefe is looking at races in Yorkshire for his horse after a good run int he John Smith's Cup. (Photo by Steve Davies/Pool via Getty Images)Staying at home: Strait Of Hormuz [pale colours] wins at Haydock last season. Trainer Jedd O'Keefe is looking at races in Yorkshire for his horse after a good run int he John Smith's Cup. (Photo by Steve Davies/Pool via Getty Images)
Staying at home: Strait Of Hormuz [pale colours] wins at Haydock last season. Trainer Jedd O'Keefe is looking at races in Yorkshire for his horse after a good run int he John Smith's Cup. (Photo by Steve Davies/Pool via Getty Images)

Jedd O’Keeffe is likely to keep Strait Of Hormuz in Yorkshire for his next run following his excellent effort in defeat in the John Smith’s Cup.

The four-year-old came from well off the pace at York on Saturday to hold every chance in the final furlong, before eventually being beaten just a head and a nose into third place behind Johnny Drama.

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O’Keeffe may take Strait Of Hormuz back to the Knavesmire for the Sky Bet Handicap over the same extended 10 furlongs on Ebor day, August 21.

Heading south. Trainer Bryan Smart is sending Bond Chairman to Newbury. (GL1008/92c).Heading south. Trainer Bryan Smart is sending Bond Chairman to Newbury. (GL1008/92c).
Heading south. Trainer Bryan Smart is sending Bond Chairman to Newbury. (GL1008/92c).

There is also a race over a similar trip at Doncaster on July 31 which could be on his agenda.

“I was absolutely thrilled,” said the Leyburn trainer.

“We got excited for a second. I thought he’d just about got his head in front briefly.

“He ran a great race, and I was particularly pleased because it didn’t look a race where you could come from some way back. It was a great effort.”

It was informative too.

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O’Keeffe added: “I think we’ve worked out that 10 furlongs is probably his optimum trip. He’s come out of the race brilliant, 100 per cent.

“There’s a handicap at Doncaster in just over two weeks’ time. That’s a possible.

“There’s a nice 10-furlong handicap back at York at the Ebor meeting. That’s under consideration, but we haven’t made any firm plans.”

Meanwhile, Bryan Smart’s Bond Chairman bids to make it third time lucky at Listed level in the Ire Incentive, It Pays To Buy Irish Rose Bowl Stakes at Newbury.

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Bond Chairman was fourth of 27 in the Windsor Castle Stakes at Royal Ascot last month – a performance which persuaded Smart a move up to this trip of six furlongs may be in order.

The Kodiac colt, a winning debutant at Musselburgh in April, had to settle for a near five-length fifth in Sandown’s National Stakes on his second career start.

But his Thirsk trainer saw enough when he significantly outran odds of 66-1 at Ascot to have high hopes of a big run on Friday.

“He looks in good form, we’re very happy with him,” said Smart.

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“After his Ascot run, we thought it looked like he should get six (furlongs), so I’m hoping he’ll run a big race for us tomorrow.

“You don’t know until you run them, do you? You think they’ll get it but they don’t always, but that’s the thing – if you don’t run them you won’t know.

“We’ll have to do it at some stage of the season, so we’re going to go tomorrow and see how we go.”

Clive Cox’s Caturra will also line up, in a field of nine, having last been seen at the Royal meeting – over this trip when seventh in the Group Two Coventry Stakes.

“He ran very respectably in the Coventry,” said Cox.

“He’s a really nice colt, and this looks like a positive way forward at this moment. He’s a colt we’ve always liked, and I feel he’s progressing.”

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