Can Richmond runner-up Al Karrar keep top-level dreams up in classy Listed race?

British Stallion Studs EBF Ripon Champion Two Yrs Old Trophy Stakes (Listed Race) | 2yo | 6f | SKY

Al Karrar warms up for potential Group 1 targets by dropping down to Listed company on Monday, when Tom Clover will "be disappointed if he doesn't go very close".

Last month's Richmond Stakes runner-up, a Windsor maiden winner on his debut, is entered in the Middle Park Stakes and Dewhurst Stakes this autumn.

"He ran a really good race at Goodwood, where the winner broke the track record, and I couldn't be happier with him," his trainer said on Sunday. "I'd be disappointed if he doesn't go very close."

Explaining the drop in class, Clover said: "The Gimcrack came a touch soon for him after a hard enough race at Goodwood, he wasn't spot on then but he's in really good form now. This race fits and if he wins this he can go on to nice things ahead.

"But it's still a Listed race and will take a bit of winning. He's got big entries but we'll worry about this race first."

Bolt Action was third in the Listed Roses Stakes at York last time and is expected to benefit from this return to a longer trip.

Trainer Roger Varian said: "He's not done a lot wrong. From winning on his debut he's run very well in a Windsor Castle and a competitive Goodwood nursery, then I thought he ran another very good race at York, where he found the five furlongs a bit sharp.

"He looked to be finishing his race off with a bit of purpose there and he should be suited by the return to six furlongs.

"He's got a bit to find on ratings with the Tom Clover horse, but he seems in good form and I think he's improving, so I'd expect him to run well."

Middleham Park Racing also accept that Al Karrar is the one their Shouldvebeenaring has to beat.

Shouldvebeenaring (left, light blue) may strip fitter for his win at YorkCredit: Edward Whitaker

But their Richard Hannon-trained colt returned from a three-month break to land the valuable Goffs UK Harry Beeby Premier Yearling Stakes at York and racing manager Tim Palin said: "You should never be afraid of one horse.

"He has a fair few pounds to find with the worthy favourite but our horse has come out of York very well and he may even strip a bit fitter. We had a slight race against time to get him ready for that. He's a course-and-distance winner and we'll take our chance."

The same owners run stablemate Hoof It Hoof It, a Newbury novice winner, in the hope of securing a Listed placing to enhance her breeding value, while the David O'Meara-trained St Hugh's Stakes fifth Star Of Lady M returns to the track where she gained the second of her three wins back in April.

Sign up to receive On The Nose, our essential daily newsletter, from the Racing Post. Your unmissable morning feed, direct to your email inbox every morning.