Fareer primed for Hunt assignment

Ed Dunlop’s Fareer will be bidding for a Royal Ascot double in tomorrow’s Royal Hunt Cup.

Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum’s four-year-old landed the ultra-competitive Britannia Stakes at the Royal meeting last year and faces 29 rivals again off a 15lb higher mark in the open-age cavalry charge.

He showed he was in great heart at York’s Dante meeting when making all the running in the Hambleton Handicap and he holds entries in Group One races later in the season

“He’s a good, tough horse,” said Angus Gold, the owner’s racing manager.

“He won the Britannia last year when he just got up in the last stride – it was a really good effort.

“He then came back and was a bit rusty at Sandown but ran well at York and Ed seems very happy with him and thinks he has improved again.

“It’s a big ask with a lot of weight, but we go there with a big chance.”

Jeremy Noseda’s Forgotten Voice is targeting his own piece of history after winning the race as a well-backed favourite 12 months ago.

Stable companion Stoic has been the subject of a gamble this year, but Noseda is very happy with Forgotten Voice.

“He will be fitted with a visor just to help him concentrate,” the Shalfleet handler told his website, www.jeremynoseda.com.

“He has been working well and is in great shape. Johnny Murtagh rides.

“Both horses had a break after Dubai. Stoic seems fresh and well and I am very happy with him.

“They both have their fair share of weight to carry and you need luck regarding the pace and the draw.

“We shall know more regarding the draw after the first day.”