Monday 27 June 2016 17:19, UK
The Last Lion is likely to be dropped back down to Listed level for a shot at the Dragon Stakes at Sandown on Friday.
After finding only Prince Of Lir too good in the Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot, the Mark Johnston-trained two-year-old, winner of the Brocklesby Stakes on his debut, is now in line for a shot at the five-furlong event that the Middleham master took 12 months ago with Riflescope.
Should all go to plan, a step up to Group One company for either the Prix Morny at Deauville or the Keeneland Phoenix Stakes at the Curragh could be on the cards.
Charlie Johnston, son and assistant trainer, said: "The Last Lion is entered in both the Morny and the Phoenix Stakes, but I think it's quite likely that he will go to Sandown now first.
"He comes out a long way clear on the ratings and should take all the beating there.
"As we said before Ascot it is clearly the case that on top of the ground, he is a good horse, but that he is a very good horse when there is soft in the ground as he showed in the Brocklesby and at Ascot."
In contrast, having found soft conditions not to his liking at the Royal meeting when losing his unbeaten record in the Coventry Stakes, a trip to next month's July Festival at Newmarket could be up next for Yalta.
Johnston said: "I think it was the ground that got him beat at Ascot. I could not believe how much speed he showed to lead the American horse (Silvertoni) for three or four furlongs in the Coventry. It just showed how much boot he has got.
"But William (Buick) said as soon as he came off the bridle, he was just swamped by others on that ground.
"We ran him back quick after his first start at Goodwood at Pontefract to try get some more experience in him, but unfortunately he didn't learn on that start, either. He will have learnt a lot for his experience at Ascot.
"He is in the Phoenix and I guess he will have an entry in the July Stakes. He will be entered in all those sorts of races.
"The Last Lion enables us to have a two-pronged attack at these big two-year-old races as if it comes up soft he can go for them or if it is quicker we then have Yalta."
