Betchworth Kid given Ebor green light

The Betchworth Kid is ready to roll in the totesport Ebor, according to trainer Alan King.

A pleasing Goodwood Cup reappearance following disappointment at the Cheltenham Festival have tempted connections to contest big Flat handicaps this summer, with the Ebor first on the agenda.

An unlucky-in-running seventh on the Knavesmire last year, King was “chuffed to bits” with his Tobougg gelding at Goodwood, and believes the race has put the five-year-old bang on course.

“It was very pleasing, as he has only been back with us five weeks,” said King.

“He ran just as we thought he would. Ideally, we could have done with another couple of weeks, but he needed a race before York and the timing was perfect.

“Hayley (Turner) said that he came there with half a chance of getting in the money, but a furlong and a half out he just took a gasp for air, and she sensibly looked after him then.

“The race will have done him the power of good, and he’ll be out in the field again this weekend before we start continuing his preparation towards the Ebor, in which he ran so well in last year,” the Barbury Castle handler told www.alankingracing.com.