James Eustace is hoping War Artist can overcome a ‘horrible’ draw in the Duke of York Hearthstead Homes Stakes on the Knavesmire on Wednesday.
The former South African speedster has been saddled with stall one as he bids to land his first race in the northern hemisphere in the Group Two contest over six furlongs.
‘We've got a horrible draw. The only draw I didn't want was one and that's what we've got, but if there's speed on our side then it's not so bad,’ said Eustace.
‘Anyway, we are stuck there and we'll have to make the best of it.
‘I think he's a hold-up horse looking at his South African races. When he won his Grade One he came from way back and just got up on the line over six. It's a sharp six, so he won't be leading.
‘Whatever happens I just hope Kerrin (McEvoy) can drop him in and get the rub of the green.’
The five-year-old has shown plenty of ability in two races in this country.
After finishing second over seven furlongs at Wolverhampton in March, he was a fast-finishing sixth in the Abernant Stakes at Newmarket despite suffering bad luck in running and being burdened with a 10lb penalty.
‘He's done very well since the Abernant and I thought he ran a very solid race with the penalty and he didn't really get a run until the furlong pole and he finished to good effect. I was delighted with him,’ Eustace went on.
‘And the ground should be fine. His best form in South Africa was on fast ground. In a way, the quicker the better.’
Richard Fahey would prefer softer conditions for Utmost Respect, who looks well drawn in stall ten.
‘There is the question he's probably better on softer ground. He has a bit of form on faster ground but we'll find out tomorrow,’ said the Dundalk native.
‘If I had a choice I'd like it a bit softer as I know he'd cope with it better than most.
‘He seems in good order and we are very happy with him. It's a tough race and it's entitled to be.’
Utmost Respect was an easy winner of last season's Ayr Silver Cup and booked his place at York with a smooth victory at Thirsk last month, when he had Duke of York rivals Big Timer and Wi Dud back in second and fifth respectively.
Kevin Prendergast's Haatef was a winner in England the last time he travelled over.
He hit the target in the Diadem Stakes at Ascot in thrilling fashion, beating Dark Missile by the narrowest of margins.
‘If the ground is similar to what it was like at Ascot when he won the Diadem we expect a big run,’ said Prendergast.
‘He beat most of them that are in the race tomorrow in the Diadem and he looks to have shown the normal improvement from three to four.
‘If he shows the improvement that we expect him to, and matches what he has done physically, we expect a big run.’
