Extended mile and a quarter could favour Sajjhaa on comeback trail

The Saeed bin Suroor-trained horse was a beaten favourite in the one-mile Windsor Forest Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Powered by automated translation

Godolphin's Sajjhaa is to be eased back into Listed company today when she lines up in the highlight of York's six-race evening card.

The daughter of King's Best, trained by Saeed bin Suroor, chased home Midday over course and distance in the Group 2 Middleton Stakes in May.

But she was a beaten favourite when finishing only fourth in the one-mile Windsor Forest Stakes at Royal Ascot. Now, connections are hoping that a return to the extended mile and a quarter over the Knavesmire will see her in a better light.

Sajjhaa was a winner at Listed level at Bath last summer and is unpenalised for her win in Group 3 company in Italy last October.

Simon Crisford, the racing manager for Godolphin, said: "The mile at Ascot was a little short for her last time so the step up in trip should suit. She ran a very good race over the same course and distance in the Middleton and we are hopeful that this race can put her back on track."

Frankel, owned by Khalid Abdullah, the Saudi prince, continues to please Sir Henry Cecil as he builds towards his highly anticipated clash with Canford Cliffs in the Sussex Stakes at Glorious Goodwood.

Racing cognoscenti are gearing up for the "Duel on the Downs" on Wednesday, and Frankel's trainer is thoroughly happy with his preparation of the unbeaten Galileo colt.

"Frankel seems in very good form at the moment and is really pleasing me in his work," Cecil said on his website. "Obviously, Canford Cliffs is the one to beat and it is going to be a very interesting race, but he goes there with a great chance and hopefully he will give a good account of himself."

Prince Abdullah owns Workforce, who tops a field of five, including Rewilding, in the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot on Saturday.