Cecil eyeing Plate glory

Henry Cecil’s Ajaan will bid to gain compensation for his narrow Chester Cup defeat in Saturday’s Northumberland Plate – providing the Newcastle ground is suitable.

The five-year-old won twice in the early part of last season but appeared to lose his way after disappointing in the Queen Alexandra Stakes at Royal Ascot.

The break seemed to have done him good when he was beaten just a neck by Daraahem on his comeback in Chester’s feature event but Alan Cooper, racing manager to the owners the Niarchos Family, has warned his participation at the weekend depends on the weather.

“He’s all set for the Northumberland Plate providing the ground is favourable to him. It can’t be fast for him as he has to have good ground with a bit of ease in it,” said Cooper.

“We were absolutely delighted with his Chester run and if he can build on that, he should be competitive at the weekend but we’ll have to see what the weather does.

“Looking at the forecast it looks as though there is going to be a lot rain on the western side of the Pennines but I’m not sure about the eastern side. We just have to keep our fingers crossed.

“Last season we ran him at Royal Ascot on ground that wasn’t favourable and I think it took him a little bit longer to get over that than we perhaps realised at the time.

“This season the ground will dictate his program.”