Latest running plans for Muhaarar and Dutch Connection
Friday 3 July 2015 16:32, UK
Charlie Hills is thrilled with how Muhaarar has bounced back from his brilliant Royal Ascot victory as he prepares to take on his elders for the first time in next Saturday's Darley July Cup.
Winner of the Greenham Stakes at Newbury on his three-year-old debut before a luckless run in the French 2000 Guineas, the Oasis Dream colt dropped back to sprinting for the inaugural running of the Commonwealth Cup and could not have been more impressive.
The youngster will undoubtedly face a tougher task at Newmarket, with Australian star Brazen Beau among those lying in wait, but confidence is high in the Hills camp that Muhaarar will make them all go.
"He's in great form. He had a lovely little stretch out this morning and I really couldn't be happier with him," said the trainer.
"He really was impressive at Ascot and the time of the race was good. It looked a fantastic race beforehand, with so many Group-race winners in there, but he was the highest rated horse in the field and it was great to see him win it like he did.
"We're on course for next Saturday, you have to take on the older horses eventually and we'll see what he can do."
Muhaarar was one of two Royal Ascot winners for the Lambourn-based handler, with Dutch Connection edging ahead in the Jersey Stakes.
He holds entries in the Lennox Stakes and the Sussex Stakes at Glorious Goodwood, but Hills is also considering a possible trip to France for the Prix Jean Prat on Sunday week.
He said: "Goodwood is on his agenda and we'll also have a look at the Prix Jean Prat as well.
"He'll work on Saturday and we'll decide in the next week which way we're going to go."
