Ascot agenda for Muthabara

Muthabara will bypass a trip to Epsom as connections attempt to prepare the Red Ransom filly for an appearance at Royal Ascot later in June.

John Dunlop’s charge won the Fred Darling in April but could finish only eighth behind Natagora when last seen in the 1000 Guineas at Newmarket.

“She’s doing all right but she’s taken a long time to come to herself and we’ve given her a bit of time after the Guineas,” said Angus Gold, racing manager to owner Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum.

“She will not be running in the Oaks but we are hoping to get her to Royal Ascot and we’ll just see how she comes on in the meantime.

“Everyone knows her coat was not there before and she is still backward in it for the time of year but the weather hasn’t been good.”

Muthabara has a couple of options at the Royal meeting but is unlikely to be asked to race over further than a mile for the time being.

“We’ll either stay at a mile for the Coronation or go up to a mile and a half for the Ribblesdale,” Gold continued.

“It’s a big jump to go straight to a mile and a half, though, and there is nothing in her pedigree to suggest she’ll want that far.

“I would think if she makes Ascot it would be more likely she’ll go for the Coronation and if she doesn’t make it in time, we’ll have her for later in the year when there are lots of options.

“I expect she will go up in trip at some stage but we might see her one more time at a mile when she’s a bit better in herself.”