James Garfield set to feature at Royal Ascot

Trainer George Scott has revealed that James Garfield is being aimed at the Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot.

The three-year-old won the Greenham Stakes at Newbury earlier this season before then finishing seventh in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket.

He was dropped down to six furlongs for his last race at Haydock but Scott is now looking at any seven furlong contests.

The Jersey Stakes is now the number one target for Scott and connections as they bid for a strong end to the flat campaign.

He wrote on his own official website: “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.”