Eve Johnson Houghton reports The Cheka to be stiff but otherwise fine following his comeback win after an 11-month absence.
The three-year-old colt justified his trainer's faith and patience with a game neck victory over Ashram at Newbury on Friday and Johnson Houghton has not ruled out a return to the Berkshire track for the CGA Hungerford Stakes on August 15, although she does not want to rush him back into action.
"He was a bit stiff, which is understandable after such a long lay-off, but he seems fine. Every day with him is a trial," said the Blewbury trainer.
"I'm thinking along the lines of either the Hungerford or the Celebration Mile (at Goodwood). I'm just so relieved to have got him back on the racecourse and for it to go really well. I certainly don't want to rush him back or bounce him.
"I've made no bones about the fact that I think he's a very special horse and I'm glad he's gone to the racecourse and showed he's still got an engine. I just want to keep the wheels on."