Ebor bid on the agenda for Paradias

All roads will lead north for the ultra-game Paradias who will switch back to handicap company for a tilt at the Sky Bet Ebor at York.

With Alan already earmarking Europe’s richest handicap as the next port of call for Daiquiri Bay, he now looks set to be joined on the Knavesmire by the evergreen seven-year-old.

The son of Kodiac continued to hold his form well this year at Sandown Park on Friday when finishing third over two miles in the Listed Coral Marathon.

And on the back of that effort Alan is now keen to drop Paradias back down to a mile and three quarters for the £500,000 prize on August 22nd.

Alan said: “Paradias ran very well. I think riding him to try and win probably cost him second. It was a good solid run again though.

“I think we will give him a little break and his next run will be in the Ebor as he would get into that comfortably.”

Victory was to elude Heroics at Newmarket on Saturday after he finished fifth in the Betway Bet £10 Get £40 Handicap, however Alan was pleased with his effort in defeat.

Alan said: “I thought he ran pretty well. He is a long way from the finished article, but he is learning all the time. That was much the strongest race we have ever run him in, and he will have learnt again.

“We probably wouldn’t run him on ground that quick again. He would appreciate a little bit of juice.”

On the same day down at Sandown Park stablemate Barbury Boy failed to back up his last gasp success at Nottingham when beating only one rival home in the Coral Free Rewards Shaker Handicap.

Alan said: “Barbury Boy was a little bit disappointing. He missed the break a little bit and they went no gallop. They went very steady and then sprinted, but he just never quite got into it. He is probably another one that would appreciate a bit slower ground.”

Throughout last week it was case of rattling the woodwork for the vast majority of those flying the flag for Alan and his team starting with Uhtred Ragnarson finishing third in the Visit racingtv.com Handicap Hurdle at Stratford on Monday.

The same position was filled by stablemate, and fellow Alan King Racing Club syndicate horse, John Harrison at Salisbury in the Molson Coors Handicap 24 hours later.

Alan said: “I was really pleased with John Harrison as he hadn’t run for some time. I think again he probably wants stepping up in trip to a mile and a quarter next time.

“Uhtred Ragnarson ran well and there were no excuses. Hopefully he might pick up another race in the summer.”

Both Albertini Star in the Watch Racing TV Now Handicap at Nottingham on Thursday and Kitty’s Glance in the Sun Racing Free Tickets With  Sun Club Novices’ Handicap Hurdle managed to go one place better in their respective races.

Alan added: “The two and a quarter miles around Newton Abbot was probably a bit too sharp for Kitty’s Glance. She was always flat out, but she stayed on well.

“We were giving the winner well over a stone so it was a solid run, but she probably wants a step up in trip.

“It was an encouraging run from Albertini Star as she stayed on well. We will step her up to a mile and quarter next time, and again, like some of the others, she wouldn’t want to keep running on that fast ground like it was last week. Hopefully she will give her owners a lot of fun.”

Granny Hawkins might have come up just short in her bid to complete a four-timer when finishing third in the ECIS Say Yes To Solar Handicap Hurdle at Market Rasen on Sunday, but Alan was pleased with the display.

Alan said: “Granny Hawkins ran great. I was happy with her. She was on a career high mark and was back taking on the geldings. Her wins have all been against mares, but there haven’t been any mares only races suitable for her.

“Hopefully we can find one in the coming weeks as I would like to keep her against her own sex if we could. It was a fair effort.”