Cheka on the comeback trail

A lack of suitable options may press The Cheka into action for his first run in more than 10 months in Friday's Shadwell "Nunnery Stud" Conditions Stakes at Newbury. Niggling problems have kept the colt off the course for his three-year-old career after a promising time as a juvenile when he won a maiden at Ascot before finishing second in the Group Three Solario Stakes."I'm hoping he can run, but there's no guarantee. It sounds a bit ridiculous after nearly a year off the track but I could have just done with another week with him," said trainer Eve Johnson Houghton."Unfortunately there are so few options at the moment. If he doesn't run at Newbury there is a Listed race at Pontefract or going to Goodwood, neither of which would be ideal."The race looks quite tough but we'll just have to see."He's done really well but we don't want to go for a Group One yet. I took him out of the Sussex Stakes because it comes too soon and probably the QEII at Ascot would be his main aim."