Kilimanjaro to peak at Sandown

Mount Kilimanjaro can continue on the upward curve in the WBX.com Henry II Stakes at Sandown.

John Dunlop’s four-year-old has only had four starts in his career to date so there is any amount of improvement to come from the son of champion sire Sadler’s Wells.

After finishing sixth behind unlucky Derby fourth Hala Bek on his racecourse bow at Newbury, Mount Kilimanjaro broke his maiden at the second time of asking at Chepstow – with champion juvenile hurdler Katchit well in arrears.

He then took a massive hike in class to contest the Group Three Queen’s Vase at Royal Ascot over two miles.

Not surprisingly, that proved a little too much for him and he never landed a blow.

But on his first start this season he looked a completely different animal.

Competing in a Listed race over a mile and three-quarters, he was sent off a relatively unconsidered 20-1 chance at Nottingham in the Further Flight Stakes.

However, Dunlop’s charge came with a withering run down the outside under Jimmy Fortune to wear down The Last Drop close home.

Also in behind was Jamie Osborne’s Geordieland, who ran a blinder behind Sergeant Cecil in the Yorkshire Cup.

Tungsten Strike will no doubt put up a bold show in his bid for successive wins but the Dunlop animal probably has more progress in him.

Racing Post Trophy runner-up Charlie Farnsbarns looks banker material in the Bet Now At WBX.com Heron Stakes.

He was only beaten a length and a quarter by Derby hot-pot Authorized in the end-of-season Group One.

Brian Meehan’s charge had shown progressive form before that – except when unplaced in the Goffs Million at the Curragh – and a reproduction of anything like that form must surely see him collect.

Henry Cecil can saddle another winner in the shape of Ajaan in the WBX.COM World Bet Exchange Handicap.

A one-time Derby entrant, this half-brother to Derby runner-up Dragon Dancer still holds a Royal Ascot engagement.

He made up for slightly disappointing on his debut last year but bolted in at Windsor on his second start and looks the type to improve.