Media in the spotlight
It was felt the Elaine Burke-trained five-year-old might not make the cut when the weights were published, so he ran at Newmarket with the aim of getting a penalty to put him up the pecking order.
However, that did not go to plan and he was only fifth behind one of today’s rivals, Area Fifty One. To their great relief, Media Hype has managed a place in the maximum 20-strong line-up. A winner over the course and distance before that unsuccessful trip to Newmarket, the Burke team believe their charge has plenty going for him.
“We’re very happy he got in. He was declared to run on Friday just in case he didn’t get in,” said the trainer’s husband and assistant, Karl. “I’m slightly concerned the run at Newmarket trying to get a penalty to make sure we got in might just have taken the edge off him, but equally he does seem in good form and we go there very hopeful.
“He’s got a lot in his favour – the ground, the draw (two) and he’s a course and distance winner. We’re very hopeful without being over-confident.”
Area Fifty One booked his place by earning a 5lb penalty for that Newmarket victory and Richard Fahey’s runner goes to the Knavsmire in good heart.
“He’s adaptable on soft ground and on good ground, so we’re hopeful of a great run. He’s in super form,” said Fahey’s assistant Robin O’Ryan. “He did it very well the last day and ran a great race at York as well. He’s a tough horse, he’s very professional.”
Mijhaar is a leading fancy on the strength of two highly-promising runs this term, the latest at Royal Ascot where he was a close third to Gatewood in the Wolferton handicap.
“Mijhaar ran a great race at Ascot and seems to have come out of that in good shape,” said trainer Roger Varian.
“He has run well at the track before, a mile and a quarter is his optimum trip and soft ground holds no fears for him. The John Smith’s Cup is one of the most competitive races of the season but if he can reproduce his recent performances then he should be thereabouts.”
