Cole has sights on the Curragh with Goodwood winner Dr Rascal

Oliver Cole is set to take his unbeaten juvenile Dr Rascal to the Curragh for the Vincent O’Brien National Stakes after striking at Group level for the first time at Goodwood.

Following victories at Leicester and Ascot, the Whatcombe handler stepped his rising star up in grade in the Group Two Vintage Stakes and despite having to go through a tight gap on the rails under Kaiya Fraser, the Sottsass colt showed a fine attitude to do so, beating Aidan O’Brien’s well-regarded Haffner by half a length.

“It was very good and I’m very happy with him. He’s a tough, strong, talented individual,” Cole said.

“It’s the second time he’s had to put up with a bit of adversity. He got loose behind the stalls at Ascot and then having to come through a gap that Kaiya was very entitled to go through and almost being checked as he’s come through and still winning.

“Kaiya gave him a great ride, he was entitled to go for that gap, it’s what won the race. He believes in the horse, they get on very well.”

Ireland is now on the agenda, as Cole prepares for a tilt at the highest level.

“We’ve supplemented him for the National Stakes and that’s where we’ll head next,” he said.

“We’ll enter him in the Champagne Stakes just to have options, but the National Stakes in Ireland is the race to go for.”

When asked if Dr Rascal could become a Classic horse next season, Cole added: “We’ll see in the next race won’t we? We can dream!”