St Leger hero Harbour Law bound for Yorkshire Cup

Mongan believes it will be a case of the further the better for Harbour Law this year. Picture: Racingfotos.com

Harbour Law is likely to make his reappearance in the Betway Yorkshire Cup at York on May 19 before a possible tilt at the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot the following month.

The Lawman colt provided one of the great feelgood stories of the QIPCO British Champions Series last year when he gave Epsom-based trainer Laura Mongan with a dramatic victory in the Ladbrokes St Leger. She had never previously had a runner in any Group 1 race before, let alone a Classic.

Harbour Law has had a couple of pieces of fast work this spring and Mongan is looking forward to seeing her stable flagbearer back on the track.

“We think that’s the perfect starting point for him [the Yorkshire Cup] with the view, all being well, to go on to the Gold Cup,” she said. “They’d be our main early targets. We think we’ve got a horse good enough.”

Harbour Law had previously finished runner-up in tnbe 2m Queen’s Vase before his victory under George Baker at Doncaster and Mongan said: “I think the further the better with him. The mile and six furlongs at York will suit him, but the best of him will show over longer trips.”

Harbour Law enjoyed a winter break at his owner Jackie Cornwell’s property in Dorset before going back into training at the start of the year.

“He has been back with us since mid-January. He looks great and holidayed well. We couldn’t be happier with him,” said Mongan. “He always was a beautiful stamp of a horse and he looks better, stronger – great in himself. So we’re very excited, if not a little nervous. It’s a lovely pressure to have.

“All he did last season was mature and improve, looks-wise and mentally. I’m pretty sure that he has carried on doing that. He is doing everything right at home, that’s all I can ask for.”

The Yorkshire Cup is the first race in the Long Distance category of the Champions Series.