Racing: Intrinsic could make Curragh group debut

Intrinsic (right) ridden by Richard Hughes wins the 32Red Cup. Picture: PA

Trainer Robert Cowell has yet to make a firm plan for his rapidly-improving sprinter, who extended his unbeaten record for the yard to three in Saturday’s 32Red Cup at Goodwood.

In the aftermath, the trainer suggested Intrinsic “could go all the way” and had been given an entry for the Betfred Sprint Cup at Haydock

“He’s absolutely fine and full of himself, he looks a picture,” said Cowell yesterday.

“It’s all a bit up in the air at the moment. We’ll have a sit down with Malih Al Basti [owner] and work something out. He’s in a race in Ireland in a couple of weeks, which is an option, while I’m also going to enter him in the big Qipco Sprint at Ascot on Champions Day.”

Cowell was feeling in decent order himself, explaining he had “ditched the lime green shirt” he had chosen to wear at Goodwood, which had apparently been a source of amusement for his friends and colleagues.

Meanwhile, Aidan O’Brien insists there is no hurry to map out a plan for Goodwood winner Highland Reel.

The Galileo colt stepped up on his debut second to win by 12 lengths at Gowran at the start of July, prompting O’Brien to swiftly raise his sights for the Group Two Vintage Stakes.

Highland Reel duly won by two and a quarter lengths, with O’Brien eyeing the Galileo European Breeders Fund Futurity Stakes at the Curragh on August 24 as a possible option.

He said: “It was a lovely run in Gowran, he won his maiden very easy, and we were delighted with him at Goodwood. He travelled very well and went to the line strong so we couldn’t be happier.

“He could go to something like the Futurity, something like that, but he’s got plenty of experience now, that was his third run and a trip away so I don’t think there’s any panic.

“I suppose it will depend on what the others do and where he fits in.

“It’s unusual a horse wins a maiden like he did and the horses who were behind him came out and won.”

Roger Varian has confirmed Kingston Hill will have his next outing at this month’s York Ebor meeting. The Investec Derby runner-up has entries in both the Neptune Investment Management Great Voltigeur Stakes and the Juddmonte International on the Knavesmire and the trainer is set to take advantage of his versatility.

Kingston Hill was last seen finishing fourth in the Coral Eclipse and Varian said: “After the Eclipse he had an easy couple of weeks.

“I think he’s set for a great second half of the season.

“He’s entered in everything, from 10 furlongs to the Leger over a mile and six, but the plan is to run at York.

“He’s got plenty of options but he’s a very good horse.”