Charlie Hills Bidding For More Greenlands Glory With Iberian

Iberian will bid to offer fitness instructor Charlie Hills with back-to-back triumphes in the Weatherbys Ireland Greenlands Stakes at the on Saturday.


The Lambourn handler declared the Group Two reward with Mitbaahy 12 months ago and will have high hopes of contributing 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 six furlongs, Iberian had the choice of running at York in Wednesday's 1895 Duke of York Stakes, but he is instead being prepared for a trip across the Irish Sea.


"He's effectively, we're really pleased with him. We chose to bypass York and we're aiming for the Greenlands instead," stated Hills.


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


"I was truly happy with his Doncaster run, he was probably a bit unfortunate with the way he dived across the track and appeared to lose his concentration for a bit.


Iberian winning the Betfred Champagne Stakes (Tim Goode/PA)


"He struck the line strong though, so we'll put that behind us now and look forward to the remainder of the season."


Another Hills prisoner who started his season on a great note is Cicero's Gift, with the five-year-old completing 3rd in a competitive renewal of the Group Two bet365 Mile at Sandown.


However, current plans are on hold for the child of Muhaarar, who chooses simple ground underfoot.


"We've simply got to wait up until it begins to rain. It's actually tough to make plans with him at the minute, it's been so dry," Hills included.


"We'll keep our options open through the year but he's constantly been at his best when he can enter the ground, so we'll just have to be client and wait on the rain."