Belardo returns at Doncaster

Roger Varian is starting Belardo off in the Betway Doncaster Mile in the hope it leads to bigger prizes later in the season.

Winner of the Group One Dewhurst Stakes as a two-year-old in 2014, he struggled to recapture that form for most of last year.

His preference for plenty of cut in the ground hindered him in the summer but when he got it at Ascot for the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes he showed what he was capable of by pushing French superstar Solow to within three-quarters of a length.

Varian is looking for a confidence-boosting run on Town Moor before stepping Belardo back up in class.

"Belardo has done really well over the winter," said Varian.

"He has salvaged his career a bit after being a bit disappointing mid-summer last year.

"He chased Solow home in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes and we still have high hopes he will win another Group One.

"His early campaign at the minute is likely to take in Doncaster and then Sandown for the Group Two (Sandown Mile) and then, all being well, on to the Lockinge at Newbury."

David O'Meara's veteran Custom Cut carries the same official rating of 117 into the contest.

John Gosden's Muwaary is having his first run since the Prix Jean Prat of 2014, some 628 days ago, while the Richard Hannon-trained Moheet and Tupi are also in the eight-runner field.

Champion jockey Silvestre de Sousa has the mount on Mick Channon's Bossy Guest, and told his Betway blog: "Bossy Guest was finishing fourth to Gleneagles in the 2000 Guineas around this time last year.

"He followed that with a third at Royal Ascot before somewhat losing his way a bit.

"In all honesty, he hasn't been setting the world alight in Meydan and has been pretty comfortably beaten in all three starts there this year.

"Hopefully the return to these shores after a little sunshine will spark a revival, and he won't lack for fitness.

"Conditions will be ideal for David O'Meara's Custom Cut, although he has a penalty to carry.

"Roger Varian's Belardo got close to the mighty Solow in last year's QEII Stakes at Ascot when we last saw him and he will be a tough nut to crack back down in class."