Trophy hunt could see Iberian put down sprint marker

Iberian can forge a niche for himself in the sprint division when he returns to the scene of his finest hour for the William Hill Best Odds Guaranteed Cammidge Trophy Stakes at Doncaster.

Charlie Hills’ four-year-old won the Champagne Stakes on Town Moor as a juvenile but after a disappointing year in 2024, the colt now tries his hand against battle-hardened speedsters after returning to winning ways at Southwell in December.

“He’s always been incredibly talented at home, but it was just a frustrating year last season,” said Richard Ryan, racing manager for Teme Valley Racing, who own Iberian alongside Ballylinch Stud.

“We feel he is probably going to revert to this trip most of this year and he is perfectly capable of doing so on his work at home.

“The surface at Southwell was just about getaway-able with and from where he came from it nearly caught him out, but we think racing up the straight on grass will be beneficial.

“He shows incredible speed at home, there’s not really any concern on that front, just obviously at this level there are very small margins and at this time of year it is tricky to know exactly how the opposition are.

“However, we’re very pleased with him, he’s looking great and we expect a decent showing.”

Karl Burke has saddled the runner-up for the past two seasons and last year’s second Marshman is joined by stablemate Spycatcher, as the Spigot Lodge yard bids to go one better.

“Fitness is a big advantage at this time of year as we know, especially on that dead ground,” said Burke.

“The plan originally was to go straight to (All-Weather Championships) Finals Day with Marshman, but there is a good three weeks between now and Finals Day.

“Spycatcher is moving really well and loves that cut in the ground, so any rain will help him.

“It was a tough decision for Cliff (Lee, jockey) and usually when he gets off Spycatcher it’s the wrong decision. It would have been hard for him to get off Marshman who has fitness on his side, but I expect Spycatcher to run a big race as well.”

Clive Cox is another to hit the crossbar in this event in recent years and he relies on James’s Delight, who progressed rapidly through the ranks last term, winning four times and beaten only a whisker when clashing with Spycatcher at Deauville.

“He’s done well over the winter, but would appreciate any rain that arrived at Doncaster,” said Cox.

“Physically he’s looking more mature again from last year and it’s nice to be getting going again after a good year last year.”

Al Shabab Storm drops back in distance making just his second appearance for Marco Botti, after finishing a close-up third over seven furlongs on his stable debut in the Lady Wulfruna Stakes.

Botti said: “I don’t think the drop back to six furlongs or running on a straight track is a concern and he’s in good order, he’s a nice horse and we’ve been happy with him.

“He carries plenty of condition, so he’ll definitely be fitter than he was on his first run for us and this has always been the plan.”