WEST Ilsley trainer Mick Channon is eyeing a tilt at the Irish 1,000 Guineas with Czabo after the filly made a winning reappearance in the bet365 Esher Cup at Sandown.
The 11-1 chance powered clear under champion jockey Silvestre de Sousa to take the mile handicap by two and a quarter lengths from Midhmaar.
“I was a bit twitchy before the race because I realised she was one of our major talents for the summer,” said Channon.
“That means nothing until they are tested against other people’s horses and she passed that test with flying colours.”
Channon nominated a Listed fillies race at York next month – which he won with Laugh Out Loud four years ago – as the next port of call for Czabo, who could then go for the Irish Guineas and then the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot.
“That’s the ideal plan and considering the improvement to come after her seasonal reappearance, I feel as though that’s the level she belongs at,” he added.
Czabo was a further advert for the sire Sixties Icon, whose offspring Channon has done so well with, and he was pleased to see the Queen had sent a mare to be covered by the stallion.
“There you go, I might get to train it,” he said. “I seem to be the only one who trains them at the moment, so let’s hope that works out.”
The West Ilsley trainer struck earlier in the week at Brighton with Fingal’s Cave.
Charlie Bishop was on board as the fouryear-old strode clear to take a sevenfurlong handicap by a length and a quarter from Outback Ruler.
Channon said: “He rapped a joint last year and lost his action and then his confidence, and it was a long road back.”
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