Roger Charlton to target Aspetar at more international Group 1 honours

Roger Charlton is considering further international Group 1 targets for Aspetar after the four-year-old's breakthrough victory at the highest level under Jason Watson in the Preis von Europa at Cologne on Sunday.

A son of the yard's four-time Group 1 winner Al Kazeem, Aspetar followed in his sire's footsteps to sweep aside the cream of Germany, with British opponents Communique and Best Solution also trailing in his wake.

Reflecting on Aspetar's performance, Charlton said: "I thought he was impressive. I was a little concerned the ground might be a bit quick for him but he seemed to handle it very well.

"I haven't discussed it yet with the owners but there is the Group 1 Grosser Preis von Bayern at Munich in November, otherwise we'll be looking at heading to Qatar in February.

Roger Chartlon: targeting more overseas Group 1s with AspetarCredit: Edward Whitaker

"He travels well and there are lots of big prizes now dotted around the world, and we'll definitely be looking at those."

Charlton also outlined plans for crack stayer Withhold, who is poised to take aim at the 2m Listed Rose Bowl Stakes at Newmarket on Thursday.

The six-year-old has been a revelation in six starts for Charlton. He has risen a staggering 26lb in the ratings from a mark of 87 to 113 after registering major handicap victories in the Cesarewitch, Northumberland Plate and the Marsh Cup at Newbury.

Tony Bloom's money-spinner registered a below-par performance in the ultra-competitive Ebor at York last time, but could be destined for a date with champion stayer Stradivarius in the Long Distance Cup on Champions Day at Ascot following his Newmarket assignment.

Withhold: set to run at Newmarket on ThursdayCredit: Michael Dodge

Charlton said: "The intention is to run Withhold at Newmarket on Thursday. We'll take each step as it comes, but if he runs up to expectations at Newmarket, then the Long Distance Cup at Ascot will definitely be on his radar."

One horse who will not be running again for Charlton this season is Headman, with connections deciding to draw stumps for the year after the son of Kingman finished fifth to Magical on his first crack at a Group 1 in the Irish Champion Stakes this month.

"That'll be it for Headman this season," added Charlton. "He'll have a nice break and reappear in the spring before targeting some of the top middle-distance contests next year."

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