Owen looks to strike in St Leger after Royal Ascot triumph

That is the verdict of Richard Kingscote, one of the rising stars of Flat racing in the North, after the horse’s Ascot triumph left a normally ice-cool Owen in tears.

The three-year-old turned a competitive-looking King George V Stakes into a procession and now has the world’s oldest Classic, the St Leger, as his target.

A trip to Germany for their Derby is also a possibility for the Tom Dascombe-trained colt.

“He’s been a phenomenal horse all year. We knew he’d win but we didn’t expect him to win by six lengths and my ride didn’t particularly help him, but he won incredibly well,” said Kingscote.

“He travelled great and he showed a really nice gear up the straight. He gave me a lovely feel.

“I believe Germany is the plan. Tom is going to check out the track next week just to make sure it’s the right thing for the horse and if not Tom will look for another race.

“The Leger trip will be no problem for him. We’ve always expected him to stay that sort of trip, he’s bred for it and I think he’s crying out for it.”

Owen’s biggest problem is that the St Leger, on September 10, clashes with Manchester United’s trip to Bolton Wanderers.

Already the Doncaster contest promises to be one of the races of the season, with John Gosden’s Nathaniel the ante-post favourite following his Royal Ascot triumph.

Now Middleham trainer Mark Johnston is indicating that this could be the preferred route for his Queen’s vase winner Namibian, one of two horses that Thirsk-based Silvestre de Sousa booted home at the Royal meeting for the in-form North Yorkshire yard.

Major races ranging at distances from a mile-and-a-half to two miles are likely to be considered for the Cape Cross colt, who gave Johnston a sixth success in the top staying event for three-year-olds at the Royal meeting.

The Princess of Wales’ Stakes at Newmarket’s July meeting, the Goodwood Cup and the St Leger are other feasible targets.

“He’s in the Princess of Wales’ and then there’s the Leger, but we might even think about going further for the Goodwood Cup. I wouldn’t rule out all those type of races,” said Johnston.

Dream Ahead is set to drop back in trip after pleasing connections on his belated reappearance in the St James’ Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Last year’s dual Group One victor faded in the closing stages under William Buick to take fifth place behind Frankel in his first race for eight months.

Trainer David Simcock was heartened by the performance and believes a slightly shorter distance with ease in the ground would be ideal for last season’s Prix Morny and Middle Park Stakes winner.

David O’Meara’s Blue Bajan will be aimed at York’s Lonsdale Cup, one of the centrepieces of the Ebor festival, after disappointing in the Ascot marathon.

A winner at Sandown last month, O’Meara, who trains near York, was realistic with his appraisal: “He’s well after the race, he’ll have a break now and we’ll freshen him up with an eye to the Lonsdale Cup at York in August.”