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James Garfield has the measure of Expert Eye at Newbury

James Garfield handed Jersey Stakes target at Royal Ascot


George Scott's stable star James Garfield has been handed the Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot as the next objective.

The Exceed And Excel colt made a flying start to his three-year-old campaign with victory in the Greenham Stakes at Newbury before finishing seventh in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket.

He dropped from a mile to six furlongs in the Sandy Lane Stakes at Haydock on his most recent appearance and while he was far from disgraced in finishing fourth, Scott is keen to run his charge over seven furlongs in Berkshire later this month.

Speaking on his website www.georgescottracing.com, the trainer said: "Overall, I was relatively pleased with James Garfield's run in the Sandy Lane.

"It was a big ask for him to return to six furlongs having been running over a seven furlongs and a mile. He was just tapped for toe by two exceptionally good sprinters and stayed on nicely through the closing stages.

"We feel it's a far more sensible decision to head to the Jersey rather than the Commonwealth Cup. Of course, he will have to carry a 5lb penalty, however, James has proved he's a very good colt having already won at Group level twice and only being beaten a little over four lengths in the Guineas. It will certainly be an exciting day for us all."

Scott confirmed James Garfield is likely to be joined in the Jersey by stablemate Another Batt, who won at Chester last month before finishing down the field at Goodwood.

Scott added: "Another Batt now has a rating of 106 which rules him out of the Britannia.

"He's likely to go for the Jersey. I've been pleased with him since Goodwood where unfortunately he took a real battering throughout the race. The straight seven furlongs at Ascot will really suit him.

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