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| Staff Writer |
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Trainer Brian Meehan's Jayarebe eyes a potential Royal Ascot appearance following a strong outing in the Boodles Raindance Dee Stakes at Chester on Thursday. After a promising debut at the July Course last summer, Jayarebe showcased his potential with a commendable seventh-place finish in the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere at ParisLongchamp. Making his three-year-old debut with a victory in the Feilden Stakes at Newmarket's Craven meeting, Jayarebe is poised for another impressive showing at the Roodee as he aims for back-to-back successes at the Listed level.
"I'm very happy with him; he's in great shape, and this is a very natural next step for him timing-wise, so it makes sense," said Meehan.
"He looks like he's come on for the run at Newmarket and improved. It's only his third run, so we expect more from him."
While the Dee Stakes is often considered a Derby trial, Jayarebe is not entered at Epsom, with Meehan preferring to stick to a mile and a quarter for now. Despite initially contemplating a French Derby bid, Meehan has decided against it and is now looking towards Royal Ascot, specifically targeting the Hampton Court or the Eclipse for Jayarebe's next challenge.
He added, "I think for the moment we wouldn't be in a hurry to venture any further, maybe until the end of the summer.
"It (French Derby) was thought at the time, but I talked to the owner, and from the Dee, we'll go to the Hampton Court (at Royal Ascot). He's in the eclipse as well, so that's possible, one or the other, I'd say, rather than both.
Meanwhile, Richard Hughes is optimistic about Bracken's Laugh's chances as the 3YO returns to the turf after a victorious outing at Chelmsford's Woodford Reserve Cardinal Conditions Stakes.
He said, "We're happy with him, so he'll go and do his best, and we'll see how we get on. We've had no hiccups since Chelmsford, and we've been happy with his prep. It would be nice to win a listing and then go to Group Three at Ascot, but we'll see. We could be taking on a Derby horse in God's window, but there's only one way of finding out."
Among the contenders, John and Thady Gosden-trained God's Window emerge as favorites, backed by impressive performances, including a recent victory at Nottingham.
"He ran a good race to be third after slightly missing the break at Doncaster in the Futurity last year, and then he won in a very uncomplicated fashion on his return to Nottingham," said Thady Gosden.
"He has taken a good step forward with that, and he's back into the stakes company now. Of course, it's a hot race, but he goes there in good order."