Charlie Hills Bidding For More Greenlands Glory With Iberian

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


The Lambourn handler claimed the Group Two reward with Mitbaahy 12 months earlier 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 6 furlongs, Iberian had the alternative of running at York in Wednesday's 1895 Duke of York Stakes, however he is rather being prepared for a journey across the Irish Sea.


"He's extremely well, we're truly pleased with him. We decided to bypass York and we're going for the Greenlands instead," stated Hills.


"The track ought to match 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 pleased with his Doncaster run, he was most likely a bit unlucky with the method he dived across the track and seemed to lose his concentration for a little bit.


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


"He struck the line strong however, 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 finishing third in a competitive renewal of the Group Two bet365 Mile at .


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


"We have actually just got to wait until it starts to rain. It's truly tough to make strategies with him at the moment, it's been so dry," Hills added.


"We'll keep our choices open through the year but he's always been at his best when he can get into the ground, so we'll simply need to be client and wait for the rain."