Charlie Hills Bidding For More Greenlands Glory With Iberian

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


The Lambourn handler claimed the Group Two prize with Mitbaahy 12 months earlier 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 eager to stick at 6 furlongs, Iberian had the option of running at York in Wednesday's 1895 Duke of York Stakes, but he is instead being readied for a trip throughout the Irish Sea.


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


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


"I was really delighted with his Doncaster run, he was probably a bit unfortunate with the way he dived throughout 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 eagerly anticipate the remainder of the season."


Another Hills inmate who began his season on an excellent note is Cicero's Gift, with the five-year-old ending up third in a competitive renewal of the Group Two bet365 Mile at Sandown.


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


"We have actually simply got to wait till it starts to rain. It's really tough to make plans with him at the minute, it's been so dry," Hills added.


"We'll keep our options open through the year however 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."