York Target For Globe-Trotting Collier

Dubai Sheema Classic runner-up Collier Hill is to be aimed at the Emirates Airlines Yorkshire Cup at York on May 19.

The eight-year-old is still seemingly on the upgrade and improved on his victory in the Irish St Leger with his four and a quarter length second to Heart's Cry, finishing nearly five lengths in front of Ouija Board.

Trained by Alan Swinbank in North Yorkshire, the Dr Devious gelding has targets closer to home before possibly going off on his travels again, this time to Australia for the Melbourne Cup.

'We had a fantastic time out in Dubai with him,' said Swinbank. 'The Dubai Racing Club treated us and the horse very well indeed.

'He comes back on Sunday and he'll get a roaring reception off the owners. He won over £700,000 for coming second. A lot of people work all their lives and don't earn anywhere near that amount of money.

'The following day we took one to Market Rasen and he was third in the bumper and won £438!

'He has earned over a million in Dubai in 12 months by running in five races, it's unbelievable.

'He'll go for the Yorkshire Cup next hopefully, but we'll just be taking it one step at a time so I won't be committing to races like the Melbourne Cup.

'There's a few options that aren't too far away that we could take in before we decide to go to Australia, the firm ground won't worry me out there, he goes on it now.

'He maybe always went on it, we just thought that he wanted it a bit softer.

'I'll never forget the day he ran in his first good handicap and he was second to Hugs Dancer in the Cumberland Plate at Carlisle, that was very quick ground.

'He told us very quickly he didn't like hurdles though!

'We've just been very fortunate the races in Dubai have come along when they have and there has been no fluke about it. He beat Vinnie Roe fair and square last year (in the Irish Leger) so that's how good he is.'

? PA Sport