Charlie Hills Bidding For More Greenlands Glory With Iberian

Iberian will bid to provide fitness instructor 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 back and will have high hopes of contributing 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 to stick at six furlongs, Iberian had the alternative of performing at York in Wednesday's 1895 Duke of York Stakes, but he is instead being prepared for a journey throughout the Irish Sea.


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


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


"I was really pleased with his Doncaster run, he was probably a bit unfortunate with the method he dived throughout the track and seemed 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 look forward to the remainder of the season."


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


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


"We've simply got to wait till it starts to rain. It's truly hard to make plans with him at the minute, it's been so dry," Hills included.


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