Karakontie nears return

Karakontie is set to make his first appearance of the season in the Prix Jacques le Marois at Deauville on August 16 following injury.

The Jonathan Pease-trained colt has been absent since November with a foot problem, which saw him miss the Lockinge and the Queen Anne at Royal Ascot, but connections say Karakontie is close to a return.

Alan Cooper, racing manager to Karakontie’s owners, the Niarchos family, said: “He is being aimed at the Marois, that is the plan, all being well. We just ran out of time to get him ready for the Messidor [the Prix Messidor at Maisons-Laffitte last week]. He had a quarter crack and it’s taken a little time come right.

“A mile is his optimum, as he has proved. The long-term aim is go back to the Breeders’ Cup Mile to defend his crown, but we’ll take it step by step.”