The Phoenix Thoroughbreds owned Deja is one of 81 horses entered in York’s £1million Sky Bet Ebor at the first entry stage.
Since joining Peter Chapple-Hyam, the colt is unbeaten in three runs while taking his overall record to four wins in five starts. Progressing with each of those the son of Youmzain impressed when tackling a mile and a half for the first time at Kempton last week running out a comfortable winner under Andrea Atzeni. It was a performance that marked the four-year-old out as an exciting contender for the York feature with his trainer immediately turning his mind to big race targets.
“I was very pleased with Deja at Kempton.” Said Chapple-Hyam on Wednesday. “He is an improving horse who has not had many outings, but I hope he will be streetwise enough for a race like the Sky Bet Ebor.
“Whether or not he runs again before the Ebor will depend on what is left in and how the race is shaping up between now and then. I don’t think he needs to have another run, but we will see.
“He is effective over a mile and a quarter and a mile and a half, and I don’t see a mile and six furlongs being a problem either.”
Taking place on the Knavesmire next month the race will be the most valuable flat handicap ever to take place in Europe and, in recent years, has acted as a stepping stone towards the Melbourne Cup.