King Al bids to rule supreme at Newbury

King Al will bid to transfer his recent fine form over hurdles back on to the Flat at Newbury on Saturday in the Dubai Duty Free Millennium Millionaire Handicap.

Having registered a battling succes in the Sodexo Live! Juvenile Handicap Hurdle at Ascot last time out the Apple Tree Stud-owned son of Al Kazeem will now revert back to the level in the mile and a quarter prize.

And it will be a return to a happy hunting ground for King Al, who registered his sole Flat win last season over the same course and distance back in August under Rossa Ryan, who will be back in the saddle again.

Alan said: “It looks a very competitive race, but I thought we would try and take a bit of an advantage with his race fitness, plus he won over course and distance last year. We will run him tomorrow, and we might run him once more then give him a bit of a break.

“He is a decent horse going forward, but he will want a summer holiday.”

Also flying the flag for both Alan, and Apple Tree Stud, will be Atlas Mountain, who will be making his first appearance since finishing seventh on his debut at Goodwood in the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships “Confined” Maiden Stakes.

Alan said: “He wouldn’t want the ground much quicker than it is, but he should be okay. He will be a better horse on slower ground, but we need to get him out.”

In between his two Newbury runners Alan will switch his attention to watching Deedaydiva make her first start since running out an impressive winner on her second start at Sandown Park when contesting the British Stallion Studs EBF Fillies’ Novice Stakes.

Alan said: “Deedaydiva is just ready to start back. She has only just come in her coat as it has been a bit backward, but I’m happy with her now. She is ready to start, but no more than that.

“Luke (Catton) has ridden a few for me this winter, and he came in last week, so we will use him as and when. It won’t do any harm taking the three pounds off her.”

Away from the racetrack Alan has been busy adding more ammunition to his Flat team after acquiring six horses, along with being sent another, from the Tattersalls Craven Breeze Up Sale at Newmarket.

Alan added: “The breeze up sale was very good as we bought six and got sent another one. We got stuck in on Tuesday night and got four and then we got another two on Wednesday.

“We did better than I thought there and we have still got a couple of orders hopefully left for the Guineas Breeze Up Sale. It is exciting.”