Tycoon prospects excite Smullen

Pat Smullen is looking forward to riding Diamond Tycoon for the first time in the intercasino.co.uk Magnolia Stakes at Kempton on Saturday.

With several leading British-based jockeys in action at the Dubai World Cup meeting, trainer Brian Meehan has turned to the Irish champion jockey for Diamond Tycoon’s eagerly-awaited comeback.

The lightly-raced colt has not been seen since returning sore after finishing ninth to Cockney Rebel in the 2000 Guineas last May.

“I’m looking forward to it,” said Smullen.

“I ride for Brian occasionally and he rang up. Obviously with some jockeys being in Dubai any riders he wanted weren’t available. Whenever Brian needs me and I’m free, I go over.

“I saw the horse win his maiden in Newbury and then he went for the Guineas. I know of him but have never ridden him. He could be a very nice horse.

“It was unfortunate that through injury he never got to show his true potential last year. Hopefully he’s got a very fruitful season ahead of him.”

Connections of Great Hawk anticipate a good run from Saeed Suhail’s five-year-old, trained by Sir Michael Stoute.

He put up a decent display on his seasonal bow when third to Hattan in the Group Three Winter Derby at Lingfield two weeks ago.

Rabbah Bloodstock’s racing director, Bruce Raymond, said: “He will strip a fit horse, relishes the Polytrack surface and has won at the track before

“He must be considered to have a good chance,” he told www.rabbah.co.uk.