Thikriyaat on trial for QEII at Goodwood

Thikriyaat, centre, gets on top in the closing stages of the Thoroughbred Stakes at Goodwood on his latest start. Picture: Racingfotos.com

Thikriyaat will put his Champions Day credentials on the line in the Group Two Doom Bar Celebration Mile at Goodwood on Saturday.

Connections of the Sir Michael Stoute-trained three-year-old hope he will advance his claims for the QIPCO-sponsored Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot on October 15. The Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum-owned colt is a best-priced 20-1 for the Group One contest.

Winner of the Group Three Thoroughbred Stakes over the course and distance on his latest start, Thikriyaat was added to the field at a cost of £10,000 as he seeks to take another step up the ladder.

His one defeat in five career starts to date came at the hands of Ribchester, the QEII favourite, in the Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Surprisingly, neither Stoute or Sheikh Hamdan have yet enjoyed a winner in this year’s Champions Series.

The Richard Hannon-trained Toormore, who was last seen finishing fourth in the Qatar Sussex Stakes, will have to concede 3lb all round if he lines up due to his Group Two win at Sandown in the spring.

Clive Cox claimed the race with Kodi Bear 12 months ago and he has recent Salisbury victor Zonderland in contention for the Group Two prize this time.

Gabrial finished second last year and could take his chance again for Richard Fahey, while David O’Meara’s So Beloved is another northern-based challenger.

Qatar Racing have Arod and Lightning Spear in the reckoning, with Breton Rock and Hathal completing the list of nine possibles.