Geordieland primed for Goodwood and Ebor

Geordieland will be primed for a campaign later in the year after being ruled out of the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot.

The popular nine-year-old has competed in the premier staying event for the last three years, twice finishing second to Yeats in 2007 and 2008.

Time has been called on his participation this June, however, as Jamie Osborne’s grey has suffered a series of hold-ups.

He is now being geared towards a return at either Glorious Goodwood in late July or the Ebor meeting at York in August.

“If there was ever a year I wanted to get him there, this was it,” reflected Osborne.

“The Gold Cup picture looks a bit murky this season so it’s gutting he won’t be there.

“He picked up a little injury last year which curtailed his preparations in the winter.

“He then developed a couple of hold-ups – nothing too serious – and as this horse needs a lot of work, it would be too much of a rush to get him ready for Ascot.

“He’s now almost certain to run in either the Goodwood Cup or the Lonsdale at York. Whether he goes for the Irish Leger after that, who knows?”

Despite reaching veteran status, the Upper Lambourn handler retains belief Geordieland can return for a Gold Cup swansong in 2011.

He added: “I would like to think it (next year’s Gold Cup) is still a possibility.

“I know it’s unusual to run a 10-year-old in the race, but he doesn’t have any miles on the clock.”