Burrows keeping options open regarding Nakheel return

Nakheel is on target to make her return to action at York’s Dante meeting but whether that is in the Yorkshire Cup or the Middleton Stakes has still to be determined.

Last seen winning the Park Hill Stakes at Doncaster over a mile and three quarters, she could stay over that trip if she ran in the Boodles Yorkshire Cup.

However, she has been showing plenty of speed in her homework this year, which is tempting Owen Burrows to start her in the Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Middleton Fillies’ Stakes over 10 furlongs.

“Nakheel is on target for York but to be honest, I’m still contemplating the Middleton as well as the Yorkshire Cup, she just seems a bit sharper this year,” said Burrows.

“She’s got an important bit of work to do and that will probably gauge where we go.

“She only ran once at two, won her novice a year ago at Ascot and the penny is finally dropping. I’m not saying it’s definitely the Middleton, but she does seem sharper.

“I would have loved to have got a couple of bits done on the grass with her, like everybody. It’s a nice problem to have that she seems to have sharpened up anyway, as there will be nicer races to go at over a mile and a half in the second half of the season.”

Burrows has made a fast start to the season and the future looks bright.

He said: “The team at home are doing a great job and I’ve probably had the best start to a season I’ve ever had, long may that continue.

“Unfortunately, I don’t think we’ll be able to keep our current strike-rate up but we’ll certainly do our best.

“I’m very fortunate this year that I have some nice older horses, a few of the three-year-olds are stepping up and I’ve got a bit more of a precocious bunch of two-year-olds, I hope to have my first runner next week, which is early for me.”

He had two three-year-olds win on consecutive days at Doncaster recently, including Alfareqa, a daughter of Frankel out of Group One winner Millisle, who cost Shadwell 1.6million guineas.

“Her price tag will always go before her but she’s always shown me a level at home that she’s got ability. We won’t get too excited and try and carry a penalty later this month, and the Blue Point horse who won the day before, Remmooz, will try and do the same,” said Burrows.