Ascot hero 'looks terrific' for return

Classy sprinter Equiano begins the new campaign in the Connaught Access Flooring Abernant Stakes at Newmarket tomorrow.

The four-year-old made history in June when becoming the first Spanish-trained winner at Royal Ascot after landing the King's Stand Stakes.

He joined the Lambourn stables of Barry Hills shortly afterwards but was restricted to just two runs in the July Cup and the Prix de l'Abbaye, both unsuccessful.

However, he has been pleasing connections in his work and a big run is expected in this Listed contest over six furlongs.

"It's great now he hasn't got a Group One penalty, that's dropped, so it's a good place to start off," said Hills' son and assistant Charlie.

"He's done great over the winter, we're very pleased with him.

"He's worked well and shown a lot more interest as well. I think he'll go very well and he looks terrific."

Exclamation had just two runs in 2008, but his trainer Brian Meehan is also confident of a decent show.

"He's working great and I expect him to run a big race tomorrow," said the Manton trainer.

"The way he is working, even though he lacks a bit of experience, I think he'll run really well.

"He won a valuable sales race as a two-year-old, and they take plenty of winning."

Michael Bell is happy to get Redford back on the course after the four-year-old was ruled out of his intended reappearance at Doncaster last month.

"He now seems to be in tip-top order after missing his race at Doncaster on the opening day of the season," the trainer told www.michaelbellracing.com.