Sir Mark Prescott hoping Moon rises to May Hill challenge

Moon Target is expected to be better suited by the track at Doncaster when she jumps up to Group Two company for the Betfred May Hill Stakes on Thursday.

Sir Mark Prescott, who has yet to win this Town Moor contest during his illustrious career, saw his stable star come up short in the Prestige Fillies’ Stakes at Goodwood last month when she finished three-quarters of a length behind Aidan O’Brien’s Precise.

The Cheveley Park Stud-owned daughter of Cracksman had won each of her two starts before that and Prescott hopes she can bounce back as she takes on a mile for the first time.

“I was disappointed she didn’t win. I thought she was caught a bit cold, whereby she (had) travelled well and won well over a straight track on nice, level ground and been able to do it just as she’d liked (on her first two runs),” he said.

“And there (at Goodwood), she was put to the sword early on. They jumped quick and turned left and she got bumped. I think that just caught her out and Aidan’s filly was just that bit more professional and beat us fair and square. I hope that she’s learnt and she’s not frightened by it.

“I think she will stay a mile, her pedigree says she will. I trained her half-sister up to a mile and a quarter, so pedigree says she will.”

Prescott also believes returning to a racecourse without a bend should suit, adding: “She won well and looked impressive on those two straight courses (Newmarket and Yarmouth) before.

“Logic says Doncaster would suit her better than Goodwood, but you can talk logic all you like with horses and it doesn’t always work out.”

Karl Burke’s Aylin, who finished in third in that Goodwood race, will renew her rivalry with Moon Target.

“She’s a very nice filly and she ran well in the Prestige at Goodwood,” said Alison Begley, racing manager for joint-owners Al Shaqab Racing.

“She was probably a bit tapped for toe that day and then was staying on, so Karl thinks the mile will suit and a bit of rain will suit.

“Karl says he has her in good form and we’re looking forward to seeing her run.”

Rose Ghaiyyath won on debut in a valuable conditions race at Deauville and trainer Richard Hughes is excited for his prospect.

“There is always a worry when you are bringing one over first time out because we know how they can run, but she did a very good prep for it and she didn’t let us down,” Hughes said.

“She’s done nothing but thrive since the race, so why not get going again? She’s done some very nice work at home and she’s one of the better ones, that’s for sure.

“It’s a Group Two so there’s no hiding place. In France, they do go slow. She jumped very quick and it just took them a while to get her to relax then she was good as gold, but I wouldn’t think a mile would be any trouble.”

Pacific Mission, who is trained by Andrew Balding, is set for a huge step up in class after shedding her maiden tag on the all-weather at Kempton in August.

“She’s doing well, she’s a very nice filly and I thought she looked good winning the maiden on her last day, which is what we would have expected,” said Barry Mahon, racing manager for owners Juddmonte.

“I think the first day it was a two-year-old first time out, she got a bit of stage fright and William (Buick) looked after her and then she took a massive step forward.

“Andrew’s always liked her, it’s obviously a big jump up, but we are looking forward to seeing how she can handle Group company.”

Rose Ghaiyyath’s owner Jaber Abdullah has two more darts in this race, with the unbeaten Samra Green, trained by Burke, and Charlie Johnston’s Timeforshowcasing.

O’Brien fields Sugar Island, Hilal Kobeissi has Swift Winds and Johnston has booked two-time champion Buick for Venetian Lace to complete the nine-runner field.