Johnston Hangs Fire On Macca Target

Mark Johnston has stressed impressive Champagne Stakes winner McCartney has several autumn options open to him, despite all the post-race talk at Doncaster revolving around the Racing Post Trophy.

The In The Wings colt dented some lofty reputations on Town Moor as he streaked clear under Ryan Moore to take his third race on the bounce.

He is as short as 12-1 with totesport for next year's 2000 Guineas following that performance and could head back to Doncaster on October 20 for his next start.

However, Johnston is also mulling over the Darley Dewhurst Stakes seven days later or the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere (Grand Criterium) on Arc weekend for Sheikh Mohammed's charge.

He said: 'I didn't see the race live as I was in Keeneland ? I have only seen it a couple of times since and it was very easy to take in.

'He had always shown plenty at home, but he ran too free at Salisbury the time before. Greg Fairley tried to restrain him and got into a tussle and then the race turned into a sprint.

'After that we knew dropping back to seven furlongs wouldn't be a problem and Ryan gave him a magnificent ride from the front.

'With Joe Fanning off and Kevin Darley doing his own thing we have been using the best available and have been lucky enough to get Ryan a couple of times.

'Ryan said after the race that the Racing Post Trophy would be the ideal race and that remains an option.

'He could run over seven furlongs or a mile next in either the Racing Post Trophy, the Dewhurst or the Grand Criterium, but nothing has been decided.'

(C) PA Sport