Going concern for Geordie

Jamie Osborne would like the ground to dry out a little for Geordieland ahead of the Blue Square Henry II Stakes at Sandown on Thursday.The eight-year-old, runner-up in the Ascot Gold Cup for the last two years, is set to make a belated seasonal debut in this Group Two event. He was denied the chance to claim back-to-back victories in the Yorkshire Cup earlier this month because the ground at York was unsuitable."He's in good order. Obviously this is the secondary plan - the first plan was to go to York, but we weren't able to do that because of the ground," said the Upper Lambourn trainer."I'm concerned there's plenty of rain about but I think, on balance, we'll probably run and it should dry out a bit."In contrast, connections of Barry Hills' Tastahil would like to see some rain for their recent Listed winner.Charlie Hills, son and assistant to the Lambourn trainer, said: "We've been happy with him since Newbury, and we were delighted with the way he won that race. He's a horse who is really improving this year and any rain would really be welcomed."He really won his last race because he saw the trip out so well, so this step up to two miles should suit him. It's a Group Two race, and you're never going to get an easy Group Two, but after this we're going to know where we're at. He's in the Hardwicke and the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot so we are keeping our options open."