Diamond Harry going for Gold
The problem was dealt with last week after jockey Noel Fehily reported he felt the Nick Williams-trained nine-year-old had a breathing difficulty when fifth behind Midnight Chase in the Argento Chase at Cheltenham.
“The operation went OK and he’s recovered well. It was just a minor wind op on his soft palette,” said owner Paul Duffy.
“He’s back doing a bit of walking. I know he’s had his preparation interrupted but he wouldn’t have been doing that much at that stage.
“Obviously we won’t know for sure if it’s worked but we’re going to have a go at the Gold Cup.”
* Kinglet could bid for the UAE Derby after winning the UAE 2000 Guineas at Meydan.
The Godolphin-owned colt appreciated the step back up to a mile to give Al Zarooni and jockey Mickael Barzalona back-to-back victories in the Group Three after Splash Point 12 months ago.
The 2-1 favourite made smooth progress from the rear to win snugly by a quarter of a length from Mickdaam, who just pipped Mehdi in a close thing for third.
Round Two of the Al Maktoum Challenge went the way of Bin Suroor’s Mendip.
Kieren Fallon’s mount held off Haatheq by a length and a quarter with one-time Derby prospect Dubai Prince unplaced.
Barzalona had earlier displayed his talent when delivering Spring Of Fame (8-1), another for Bin Suroor, with a perfectly-timed run to head Jamr close home and land the Dubal Casthouse Trophy.
Bin Suroor also struck with 3-1 favourite Songcraft, who got up in the last stride under a strong drive from Silvestre de Sousa to snatch the Dubal Potlines Trophy.
Songcraft maintained his 100% record when mugging Laajooj, ridden by Frankie Dettori, in the final stride to give Godolphin a one-two.
Bin Suroor and De Sousa also won with Sandagiyr, who provided a 20-1 surprise in the Group Three Firebreak Stakes.
Mike de Kock’s Bold Silvano could only manage fifth.
De Kock got on the mark as Mutahadee turned the Dubal Trophy into a procession under top-weight in the hands of Christophe Soumillon.
* Nicky Henderson has entered Binocular, Oscar Whisky and Simonsig in the Victor Chandler Morebattle Hurdle at Kelso on Wednesday.
Henderson has made no secret of the fact that he is running out of options for his star two-mile hurdlers and Binocular was due to run at Sandown last week before it was abandoned.
Oscar Whisky is declared to run in a ’jumpers’ bumper’ at Kempton today while the novice Simonsig has an option at Newbury tomorrow.
* Robert Thornton will return to the saddle at Folkestone on Tuesday.
Alan King’s stable jockey has been out of action since December 11 with a fractured arm.
