Irish Champions Weekend aim for Take Cover as Griffiths seeks Group 1 glory

After bringing the house down with a repeat victory in the Beverley Bullet, Take Cover could have a final crack at Group 1 glory in Ireland in a fortnight's time.

The 11-year-old had been earmarked for a swansong in the Group 3 Dubai International Airport World Trophy at Newbury on September 22, a race he won last year.

But the veteran sprinter is reported to be in fine shape after Saturday's all-the-way win under David Allan at Beverley – the 15th victory of his career – and could have his sights raised.

"I'm looking towards Irish Champions Weekend," trainer David Griffiths said on Sunday.

"It's up in the air but he's in the Flying Five at the Curragh – Alpha Delphini won a Group 1 and he hadn't even won a Group race, so that shows it can be done.

Take Cover
Age: 11
Races: 47
Wins: 15
Listed wins: 7
Group wins: 3
Prize-money: £737,699

"We've won two Group 2s and been placed in a Group 1 and in the form he's in at the moment, it could be his best chance of winning one.

"He was third in the race behind Sole Power when it was a Group 2 three years ago and the ground is normally lovely over there.

David Griiffths: Take Cover is 'spot on'

"We'd look towards Newbury as well, depending on the weather – it's the end of the month and if the weather goes and the ground was soft he wouldn't go there, but there is also the Dundalk Group 3 race he won last year."

Derrinstown Stud Flying Five Stakes card

Take Cover took his career earnings to nearly £740,000 when scoring in typical style from the front at Beverley and his trainer has reported him to be in fine heart after his seventh career Listed success.

"He's spot on," added Griffiths. "He had a little jump around in the paddock when he got back yesterday and he's brand new this morning.

Take Cover set for emotional swansong after back-to-back Bullets

"Yesterday was brilliant, to do it in back-to-back years was amazing. He'd run a cracker at Goodwood, then ran well in the Nunthorpe when the ground was too loose for him, but there was a slight worry at Beverley as he was drawn nine.

"However, he gets out so quick, he was well away and got across, and it was a brilliant day."

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