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Sprint Cup at Haydock 'the main target' for Mark Johnston and Lumiere

Lumiere will drop back down to six furlongs following her dismal display in the Prix Rothschild at Deauville on Sunday.

Lumiere
Lumiere Picture: Pat Healy Photography

Last season's Cheveley Park Stakes heroine trailed home last of 16 runners on her return to action in the 1000 Guineas, but got her career back on track with a stunning victory in a Listed event at Newmarket's July meeting.

Mark Johnston's charge returned to the highest level in France at the weekend, but after racing prominently, she weakened quickly in the closing stages and finished ninth of 10 runners in the one-mile Group One.

Lumiere is now in the frame for a potential tilt at the Haydock Sprint Cup, for which she will have to be supplemented, on September 3.

The Middleham handler said: "It (Prix Rothschild) was desperately disappointing, but she pulled too hard and didn't get home - it was as simple as that.

"She'll come back to six furlongs and we'll see what happens then.

"Some big mile races closed on Tuesday and it broke my heart not to put her in.

"There was a forfeit stage for the Matron Stakes and I left her in that, so she's got one up her sleeve just in case things change and we decided to go back to a mile later.

"But, for the time being, we'll stick to six furlongs.

"There's a Listed race at Newmarket in the middle of the month, we could go to that.

"The main target will be the Haydock Park Sprint Cup."


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