Charlie Hills Bidding For More Greenlands Glory With Iberian

Iberian will bid to supply trainer Charlie Hills with back-to-back success in the Weatherbys Ireland Greenlands Stakes at the Curragh on Saturday.


The Lambourn handler declared the Group Two reward with Mitbaahy 12 months back and will have high hopes of adding to his tally with a horse who was last seen decreasing 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, however he is instead being prepared for a trip across the Irish Sea.


"He's very well, we're truly pleased with him. We decided to bypass York and we're intending for the Greenlands rather," .


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


"I was actually delighted with his Doncaster run, he was probably a bit unlucky with the method he dived throughout the track and appeared to lose his concentration for a bit.


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


"He hit the line strong however, 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 an excellent note is Cicero's Gift, with the five-year-old finishing 3rd in a competitive renewal of the Group Two bet365 Mile at Sandown.


However, current strategies are on hold for the son of Muhaarar, who prefers easy ground underfoot.


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


"We'll keep our alternatives open through the year however he's constantly been at his finest when he can get into the ground, so we'll just need to be client and wait for the rain."