Prague pencilled in for Criterion comeback

Dylan Cunha described the setback that saw Prague miss the Lockinge as “a blessing in disguise”, as he prepares his star performer to make his belated return to action in the Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Criterion Stakes at York later this month.

The son of Galileo has been a real hit for the Newmarket-based South African since his 10,000 guineas transfer from Ballydoyle in October 2023 and after being ruled-out of Group One action at Newbury with a high temperature, Cunha deciding against a mooted run at Epsom this weekend in preference of a trip to the Knavesmire for a race switched north from Newmarket.

Cunha said: “He’s good and he only missed three days work basically, but I think the timing of it was a blessing in disguise and he looks better than ever now.

“He will probably go for the Group Three Criterion at York on June 28, that will be his starter.

“We looked at the Diomed at Epsom, but it was just too soon. He missed those three days and then we obviously brought him back slowly for a week and there is no point rushing him as he’s too good a horse.

“To me he has improved loads since and he has just turned a corner. Maybe he wasn’t ready for it (Newbury) and everything happens for a reason, so I’m quite excited to get him up to York.”

Prague’s finest hour came in Newmarket’s Joel Stakes last September with that Group Two event on the Rowley Mile the five-year-old’s long-term aim once again, with Cunha also having no regrets about forgoing a trip to Royal Ascot for a stellar Queen Anne Stakes later this month.

Prague added: “After York he will probably go to back to Haydock for the Superior Mile he was second in last year and then for the Joel Stakes he won, that is the plan at the moment.

“I think going to Ascot would have been mad and barring Frankel’s renewal, I think this is the best Queen Anne I’ve seen, it looks a proper race. It will be a good spectacle and I would rather be watching with a glass of champagne in my hands than having a runner that’s an outsider.”