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| Staff Writer |
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Isle Of Jura, last season's Hardwicke Stakes winner and Bahrain Triple Crown hero, is making excellent progress from injury as connections plot a path back to Royal Ascot this summer.
The 5YO son of New Approach, who carried all before him in an unbeaten 2024 campaign for trainer George Scott, is back trotting at Eve Lodge Stables following a setback that curtailed his season after his Gr.2 Hardwicke triumph.
"The scans keep coming back positively and he's out trotting, so we're really pleased," said Scott. "We'd love to have him back for Royal Ascot. Whether he gets a run before that remains to be seen.
"He got quite frustrated not training, to the point where he was quite boisterous, so he had a few weeks turned out before coming back. He looks fantastic now, and he's happier than anyone to be back in work."
The gelding's stunning Hardwicke victory, where he mastered subsequent Gr.1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes winner Goliath under Callum Shepherd, has his connections dreaming of a tilt at the midsummer showpiece.
Scott said: "The King George is the race we want him in tip-top shape for, that's our big summer target. We'll give him all the time he needs, though, as he's such a special horse. He's lightly raced and has plenty of road ahead of him."
Isle Of Jura's remarkable 2024 campaign began in Bahrain, where he made history as the inaugural winner of the country's Triple Crown. Scott has returned this year with five runners, including Gr.3 Strensall Stakes runner-up Phantom Flight and promising stayer Touch The Moon.
"Last year was really a dream for us, because His Highness Sheikh Nasser is so passionate about his racing, and for Rocket Rodney and Isle Of Jura to win at his home track was great," said Scott.
"Isle Of Jura was a freak to do what he did and went on to prove it again at Ascot, which showed everyone that the racing in Bahrain is on a significant upward trajectory. It's great to be out here again with some nice horses."