Tuesday 5 June 2018 12:09, UK
Mirage Dancer could bypass Royal Ascot in favour of an outing in the Princess of Wales's Arqana Racing Club Stakes at Newmarket's July Festival.
Although the Sir Michael Stoute-trained four-year-old holds an entry in the Hardwicke Stakes at the Royal meeting, a tilt at the 12-furlong Group Two prize on July 12 appears to be the preferred option.
The son of Frankel won a Listed contest at Goodwood last month, his first success since his victorious racecourse debut in October 2016.
Teddy Grimthorpe, racing manager to owner Khalid Abdullah, said: "It was a good performance at Goodwood and the race suited him well.
"He seemed to handle Goodwood really well and he won nicely. He ran a nice race on his reappearance at Ascot and he looked progressive at Goodwood.
"We will look at the Hardwicke for him, but I would think he would go for the Princess of Wales's Stakes at Newmarket instead.
"Like all these things there is a weight of expectation on him given his pedigree. He had no real issues last year, it was more down to immaturity as much as anything."
Stablemate Expert Eye is set to drop back in both trip and class for the Jersey Stakes following his disappointing effort in the 2000 Guineas.
Grimthorpe added: "His work since the 2000 Guineas has been positive. He seems to be in good form and he worked nicely on Saturday.
"I think we are looking at the Jersey Stakes probably more than the Commonwealth Cup with him.
"We were hoping he would run better than he did in the 2000 Guineas, but maybe it came a bit too soon after the Greenham.
"He has been fine and is in good form and looks great. He has done well physically and we could not be more happier with him.
"We've not given up on him, but now is the time for producing it on track."
