Ed Bethell’s Regional is expected to swerve his engagement in the Group 2 King George Qatar Stakes at Glorious Goodwood in favour of a tilt at the Group 1 Nunthorpe Stakes.
The five-year-old produced some useful handicap form last season, including a good third behind subsequent Listed scorer Commanche Falls in the Steward's Cup at Goodwood. He is unbeaten in two runs this campaign and stepped up to Listed company when taking the five-furlong Achilles Stakes by one-and-a-quarter lengths at Haydock in early June.
"He is still entered in the King George at Goodwood, but I would imagine it would have to cut up for him to go there," said Ed Bethell.
"Goodwood wouldn't really be his track. We ran him in the Stewards' Cup and although he ran well, he absolutely hated the downhill.
"I imagine we will be going straight to the Nunthorpe. He's very good fresh and he's a big, flat track type of horse.
"I could have run him at York in the City Walls with a penalty, but he is a fast ground horse and it did go good to soft.
"I was conscious I want to go to the Nunthorpe with a horse full of confidence, rather than me ruining his confidence by running him on soft ground."
Regional is currently 16/1 for the Group 1 Nunthorpe Stakes at York on Friday 25 August. He also holds an entry in the Group 1 Sprint Cup at Haydock and the Group 1 Flying Five Stakes at the Curragh in September.
