Sacred camp eye return to sprinting at Royal Ascot

High-class filly Sacred is likely to be dropped in distance for a tilt at the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot.

An impressive debut winner at Newmarket last summer, the Cheveley Park Stud-owned three-year-old went on to finish second in the Queen Mary at the Royal meeting, the Lowther Stakes at York and the Flying Childers at Doncaster.

Having successfully stepped up to seven furlongs on her return to action in the Nell Gwyn Stakes at Newmarket in April, connections allowed the William Haggas-trained filly to return to the Rowley Mile for a tilt at Classic glory in the 1000 Guineas.

However, while she was not disgraced in finishing seventh, she is now set to return to sprint distances.

Chris Richardson, Cheveley Park's managing director, said: "That (Commonwealth Cup) is the wish at this point in time.

"We thought that she didn't stay in the Guineas. The Commonwealth Cup is a tough race, but it's the logical race for her.

"She was the last off the bridle at Newmarket, in fairness - she just ran out of puff.

"We think she's come on well for the experience, and William is pleased with her, so we'll roll the dice."

Another exciting Cheveley Park filly in contention for the Royal meeting is Sir Michael Stoute's Potapova.

The daughter of Invincible Spirit has made a huge impression in her two starts to date - winning by six and a half lengths at Chelmsford in November and eight lengths at Redcar this month.

Richardson confirmed a step up to Group One level for the Coronation Stakes is under serious consideration.

He added: "We haven't made that decision yet. That is what I would favour personally, but Sir Michael is playing his cards close to his chest, so we'll see.

"I know that he rates this filly very highly. She did take a while to come to herself last year, but obviously she has come earlier (this year) and she has plenty of potential, which we've already witnessed.

"We can't commit (to the Coronation) just yet, but I'm hoping she might turn up there.

"She's got plenty of talent and she's one that we can bring along gradually - and I'm sure she'll keep improving."

Martyn Meade is excited about running Method in the Commonwealth Cup following the colt's belated, but pleasing, seasonal reappearance.

The son of Mehmas ran well for a long way in the Group Two Sandy Lane Stakes at Haydock, until the lack of a recent outing told in the closing stages.

Even so, he was beaten only two and a quarter lengths into fifth place behind Rohaan on heavy ground, having been off the track for 225 days.

"I loved that. It will have put him spot on for the Commonwealth," said Meade.

"It was terrible ground. It was just that he didn't operate on that.

"He was going to win his race, but in the last furlong or so he was climbing and couldn't really deal with that. But I was really pleased. He was only beaten a couple of lengths.

"I think if you ran it again it would be a different story."

Meade is confident too that Method will have an ideal short break before his Group One assignment.

"There is a nice bit of time now to Royal Ascot," he said.

"He runs well fresh and I think the timing is right, so it's fingers crossed."