RACING: The Cheka is back on track

The son of Xaar made a stunning debut when storming home by ten lengths in a novice stakes at Ascot last August, before finishing second to Sri Putra in the Group 3 Solario Stakes at Sandown.

Johnson Houghton targetted him at the 2,000 Guineas in the spring, but a series of niggling problems meant he had to miss the first Classic.

But now The Cheka, who is jointly owned by comedian Mel Smith, is set to make a belated start to his three-year-old career in a seven-furlong conditions stakes at the Berkshire course.

Johnson Houngton said: "The race looks quite tough, but we'll just have to see.

"He's done really well, but we don't want to go for a Group 1 yet. I took him out of the Sussex Stakes because it comes too soon and probably the QEII at Ascot would be his main aim."

Meanwhile, Johnson Houghton looks to have a useful filly on her hands in Roodle, who beat three previous winners in a five-furlong novice stakes at Chepstow.

Alan Munro came in for the ride when Eddie Ahern’s helicopter, bringing the jockey from York, was delayed, and he made the most of the opportunity by powering the daughter of Xaar home by a neck from Virginia Hall.

East Ilsley trainer Hughie Morrison couldn’t believe Greenisland was allowed to go off at 66-1 before springing a surprise at Newmarket’s July Festival.

The three-year-old, well beaten in the Sandringham Handicap at Royal Ascot, stayed on strongly under Robert Havlin to hold off Balaagha and Mo Mhuirnin, who dead-heated for second, by three-quarters of a length in a seven-furlong fillies’ handicap.

“It was a ridiculous price,” said Morrison.

“She was third in a pretty hot Listed race in Germany when she was not fully wound up, and we knew she likes this ground.

“At Ascot you are dead in the water in the middle of the course, and her previous race it was heavy ground. We fancied her.

“She is a really game filly. She is blind in one eye and she just tries.”