Jash ready to put his Middle Park form to the test in King Charles return
Newmarket and ITV viewers could be seeing blue on Saturday as owner Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum's famous colours are worn by Dane O'Neill on leading contenders in the three races being shown on terrestrial TV.
Pride of place goes to Middle Park runner-up Jash, who makes his belated seasonal return in the Betway King Charles II Stakes (2.40) having last been seen when the only horse to give Ten Sovereigns a race in the Middle Park at the course last September.
Trainer Simon Crisford said: "He has taken a long time to come to himself this spring and we were behind schedule with him.
"His work over the last few weeks has been good and I couldn't be more pleased with him.
"This is a new trip for him, stepping up to seven furlongs, and he looks like it will suit him very well."
Jash could be a second Listed race winner for Sheikh Hamdan and O'Neill as they start the day with Khuzaam in the Betway Fairway Stakes (2.05), which was won by Sheema Classic winner Old Persian last year.
The winner of a novice on the all-weather at Kempton on his second start still holds an Investec Derby entry and is also in the St James's Palace Stakes over a mile at Royal Ascot.
Trainer Roger Varian said: "He's quite an interesting horse. He's been a bit slow to come to hand this spring and this is a tough enough starting point.
"I think he's well up to this class and expect him to run a good race, but we'll also learn a lot about him."
Khuzaam is only third favourite in the field of six behind Raise You, whose trainer Andrew Balding is another on a fact-finding mission.
The Kingsclere trainer said: "He looked smart last time. The ground conditions here will be different so we need to see how he handles that, plus the extra two furlongs, but he is in good form and we think highly of him."
Sheikh Hamdan's chance of completing the treble will rest with Moraawed, favourite for the big-field Betway Handicap (3.15).
Varian said: "He's a sprinter going the right way and I'd like to think he's got a reasonable chance in this race. I do like him."
The biggest danger looks to be Pam Sly's Dazzling Dan, who was caught on the line and beaten a head by Moraawed at Doncaster last month but reopposes on 2lb better terms.
Sly said: "He raced up the middle and the winner came late under the stands' rail. Adam [Kirby] said he was out on his own and if he had something to race with he felt he would have won.
"I know we are top weight again, but he handled it last time and is well in himself."
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Published on 17 May 2019inPreviews
Last updated 21:01, 17 May 2019
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