Prague "training really well" ahead of York return on Saturday

Dylan Cunha has pencilled in for Prague to visit York Racecourse twice this summer – starting with a shot at this Saturday’s £100,000 Al Basti Equiworld, Dubai Criterion Stakes.

It is the first time the Knavesmire has ever staged this Group 3 race (previously held at Newmarket) so, as part of a wider strengthening of its seven-furlong programme, it will give the winner a free entry* into the Group One Sky Bet City of York Stakes on Saturday 23 August.

The Al Basti Equiworld, Dubai Criterion Stakes will also be the first time Prague has been tested at this distance.

If it proves a success, Newmarket-based Cunha will bring back his stable star for that £600,000 Sky Bet City of York Stakes, which is set to be staged as a Group One for the first time.

Otherwise, the trainer will target the nine-furlong Group 3 Sky Bet Strensall Stakes, scheduled for the same card at the Sky Bet Ebor Festival.

This weekend’s fact-finding mission sees Prague back in action, having not been seen on a racecourse since British Champions Day at Ascot last October.

The five-year-old proved a real star for connections in 2024, finishing second in the Group 3 Superior Mile Stakes at Haydock before winning the Group 2 Joel Stakes over the Rowley Mile at Newmarket. As a result, Prague must carry 9st 13lb – 5lb more than any other horse in the 13-strong entry.

Cunha said: “He’s in great form – as well as I’ve ever seen him. He’s training really well.

“The drop to seven furlongs is just that he’s quite keen in his races – we just want to teach him to settle. We’ve been going a mile and a mile and a quarter with him, but his mother was actually a six-furlong Group 3 winner. 

“We’re thinking he might just be that keen because we might be going too far with him. So, it’s an experiment. If he runs in the first two, he’ll go to the City of York. If it’s too short, he’ll run in the Strensall. He’s definitely going to York twice in the next two months!”

Cunha had hoped to have Jim Crowley aboard Prague for his seasonal bow, but the jockey looks likely to be required elsewhere by Shadwell, who retain him. Instead, Prague will be ridden for the first time by Kieran Shoemark.

Cunha said: “Jim would have ridden him, but he’s booked for Shadwell. So, Kieran then messaged for the ride and I said, ‘Absolutely’. He rides quite a bit for us – so, a great replacement for Jim.”

The trainer enjoys visiting York where Silver Sword gave him a first high-profile success at the 2023 Ebor Festival.

And Cunha has fingers crossed Prague can put him back in the same winner’s circle on Saturday. 

He said: “He’ll jump out, go forward and he’ll be sitting in the first three or four and hopefully run a huge race for us.”

Saturday’s seven-race card starts at 1.55pm with the Al Basti Equiworld, Dubai Mile Handicap.