Rio run rests on the ground

Saeed bin Suroor will assess ground conditions before committing Rio De La Plata to Saturday’s totesport.com Rose of Lancaster Stakes at Haydock.

The chestnut was a Group One winner in 2007 and while injury problems have hindered him since, he showed he still retains plenty of ability when dead-heating with Mabait in a Pontefract Listed event last month.

His trainer is considering stepping his charge back up in grade and trip on Merseyside this weekend but will not risk him on unsuitably fast ground.

“Rio De Plata won last time and is doing well. He is entered at Haydock, but we will see what the ground is like,” said bin Suroor.

“He wants good or good to soft ground. Firm ground would not suit him.

“He is working well at home, so we will see.”

Bin Suroor also has one-time Derby hope Chabal entered in the Group Three contest, but he has instead been declared for Friday’s Newmarket Nights Conditions Stakes.

“Chabal is very good at the moment but the ground is very important to him,” the trainer added.

“He missed the Irish Derby because the ground was too fast and he needs it softer.”