Hernando in Champion frame

Marco Botti is considering the Emirates Airline Champion Stakes as a potential target for his stable star Gitano Hernando.

The four-year-old has been off the track since finishing a luckless sixth in the Dubai World Cup back in March as a splint injury meant he was forced to miss last month’s Coral-Eclipse at Sandown.

His Italian trainer is slowly nursing his charge back to full fitness and a trip to Newmarket on October 16 is under serious consideration

“Gitano Hernando had a splint but he is back in full work now and we are looking forward to the autumn,” said Botti.

“The horse is doing well so we have given him an entry in the Champion Stakes and we will see how he comes along.

“He looks well and he is an athletic horse so he always keeps himself quite fit at home. I am pleased with him.

“At the moment, nothing is set, there is plenty of time to decide between now and the middle of October, so we will see how he progresses before committing him to any target.

“He will probably have a prep race and that is something I will discuss with the owners closer to the time.

“It has not quite been decided yet if the Breeders’ Cup is his long term target, we will just see how he progresses and then we will consider his options.”

Gitano Hernando was one of 66 initial entries for the Champion Stakes with the likes of Harbinger, Fame And Glory, Twice Over and Sariska other interesting possibles.