Burke out to Lord it at Goodwood

Lord Shanakill, third behind ante-post 2000 Guineas favourite Art Connoisseur at Royal Ascot, is being readied for a step up in trip at Glorious Goodwood.

The progressive juvenile won at York in May before running a big race over six furlongs in the Coventry last month.

Connections feel their exciting youngster has improved markedly since and are now relishing the chance to unleash him over a furlong further in the Veuve Clicquot Vintage Stakes on July 30.

“He also has an entry in the Tyros Stakes at Leopardstown next week but at the moment we’re favouring Goodwood,” explained trainer Karl Burke.

“Both those races are over seven furlongs as his pedigree is that of a miler really. Although he’s by a speedy stallion (Speightstown), his broodmare line has lots of stamina in it.

“He was going through a growing spurt when we ran him at Ascot and he’s strengthened and grown since then.

“We weren’t surprised how well he ran there as he is a very useful horse and we fully expected him to run well. We were hoping he’d win and although that didn’t come off he did run very, very well.

“He’s in great form and we made an early decision to skip the July meeting at Newmarket just to give him some time.

“In hindsight some of the Group races there looked winnable but I think we’ve done the right thing by him as he’s definitely improved physically.”