Al Kazeem to step up in trip
Last Updated: 15/09/14 10:19am
Roger Charlton's Al Kazeem is set to step down in class and up in trip after his run in the Irish Champion Stakes.
The six-year-old won three Group Ones during a tremendous 2013 campaign but following an unsuccessful stint at stud, he was brought back into training and won Windsor's Winter Hill Stakes in a course record time.
Stepping back up to the highest level at Leopardstown, the son of Dubawi came up short, finishing fifth of seven runners as The Grey Gatsby edged out Australia to cause an upset.
He told his website, www.rogercharlton.com: "Al Kazeem returned home from Ireland yesterday and appears to be his normal and happy self this morning.
"He is likely to step up in trip to a mile and a half and down in class for his next start which could be in the Cumberland Lodge Stakes at Ascot in three weeks time."
Owner John Deer said: "He ran well, but maybe he is better suited to a mile and a half on softer ground now.
"James (Doyle) was very pleased with him, but thinks he is possibly better going the other way around. He obviously won at Sandown and Ascot last year going right-handed and Leopardstown is the other way.
"It could be that he just isn't up to Group One level now. Maybe we're better sticking to Group Twos and Group Threes, but we'll see.
"He's safe and sound, which is the main thing, so we'll see how things are and then make a plan.
"He's in the Champion Stakes at Ascot, but whether he goes for that, I honestly don't know."