Connections say Hawkbill will contest the Juddmonte International at York before a tilt at the Qipco Champion Stakes at Ascot.
The Coral-Eclipse winner heads a list of 55 entries for the Ascot showpiece on October 15 and he could come up against The Gurkha and Time Test, who finished second and third behind him respectively at Sandown last month.
Trainer Charlie Appleby feels his charge is looking good and says Hawkbill’s next assignment will be the Juddmonte International at York on August 17.
“He had a little bit of a break after Sandown and is on target to run next in the Juddmonte International,” said Appleby, as reported by Sporting Life.
“I’m sure it will be a good race and have a bearing on who we will see in the Qipco Champion Stakes on Champions Day.
“Hawkbill had a battle on his hands up the Sandown straight but he’s come out of it well and is getting mentally stronger with each run.”
He added: “We didn’t totally discard the King George but, with the future in mind and going beyond the Juddmonte, we wanted to give him a little bit more time. He’s our flagbearer this year.”
