Charlie Hills Bidding For More Greenlands Glory With Iberian

Iberian will bid to provide trainer Charlie Hills with back-to-back triumphes in the Weatherbys Ireland Greenlands Stakes at the Curragh on Saturday.


The Lambourn handler declared the Group Two prize with Mitbaahy 12 months ago and will have high hopes of including to his tally with a horse who was last seen going down a neck to Spycatcher in the Cammidge Trophy on the opening day of the season at Doncaster.


With Hills keen to stick at 6 furlongs, Iberian had the alternative of performing at York in Wednesday's 1895 Duke of York Stakes, but he is instead being readied for a journey throughout the Irish Sea.


"He's extremely well, we're actually pleased with him. We chose to bypass York and we're going for the Greenlands rather," said Hills.


"The track should match him well and if he runs well there then it might be great timing to then go to the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot.


"I was truly delighted with his Doncaster run, he was probably a bit unfortunate with the method he dived throughout the track and seemed to lose his concentration for a bit.


Iberian winning the Betfred (Tim Goode/PA)


"He struck the line strong however, so we'll put that behind us now and eagerly anticipate the remainder of the season."


Another Hills inmate who started his season on a good note is Cicero's Gift, with the five-year-old finishing third in a competitive renewal of the Group Two bet365 Mile at Sandown.


However, existing strategies are on hold for the child of Muhaarar, who prefers easy ground underfoot.


"We have actually simply got to wait till it begins to rain. It's really hard to make strategies with him at the moment, it's been so dry," Hills added.


"We'll keep our alternatives open through the year but he's always been at his best when he can get into the ground, so we'll simply have to be patient and await the rain."