Eve Johnson Houghton expects The Cheka to take a 5lb penalty in his stride as he bids to supplement his win a month ago when he lines up for the John Sunley Memorial Criterion Stakes at Newmarket.
The five-year-old has thrived since getting his head in front for the first time in almost two years at Haydock, but that success means he has to carry the extra weight.
"He's got as 5lb penalty, but he's a big horse and I can't see any problem with that. He's been going fantastically well, Kieren (Fallon) is flying, so we're very hopeful he can go in again," said the Blewbury trainer.
"The win at Haydock did him the world of good. He's a more confident horse at home now. He's been very consistent this year and hopefully we can keep stepping up with him."
Among The Cheka's opponents is Beacon Lodge, who was beaten four lengths into fifth place at Haydock. Clive Cox's charge has since gone on to finish third to Byword at Chantilly.
The trainer said: "Beacon Lodge ran a very nice race in France last time behind Byword and we were very pleased with that performance. He has come back from France very well and, with the showers around, I am pleased he is taking his chance.
"He didn't get a clear run at Haydock the time before. He was drawn wide, dropped in and then didn't get a good run at all. We are better off at the weights with The Cheka on that performance. The Cheka was a worthy winner, but we will hopefully be better equipped now he has to carry a penalty."
Also renewing rivalry is the Haydock fourth, Inler, whose handler Brian Meehan will be trying different tactics on the four-year-old. "This stiff seven furlongs should be ideal and if the new hold-up tactics work he could be right in contention," the Manton trainer told his website.
Richard Hannon is responsible for the only two three-year-olds in the field, Libranno and Pausanias.
The trainer told his website: "Libranno ran a cracker against the older horses when finishing third in the Leisure Stakes at Windsor. We also run Pausanias, and Hughesie (Richard Hughes) has preferred this one. He had a stiff task trying to give weight away in the Heron, but he is a decent colt and you haven't seen the best of him yet."
Posts
