York return one of the considerations for Warrant Holder

The John Smith’s Cup at York is a possible target for Warrant Holder after faring best of the King and Queen’s runners at Royal Ascot.

Following victory at the Dante meeting in May, John and Thady Gosden’s four-year-old lined up as the last of five runners in the royal silks at the big meeting two weeks ago and was well fancied for the Duke of Edinburgh Stakes.

While he ultimately just failed in his bid to provide the King and Queen with their second Royal Ascot winner following Desert Hero’s famous success in the King George V Stakes three years ago, he was comfortably best of the rest behind the William Haggas-trained winner Opportunity.

John Warren, racing and breeding manager for the King and Queen, said the team were “looking at options” for the son of Frankel, with a return to the Knavesmire for the John Smith’s Cup on July 11 under consideration.

Warrant Holder was one of two royal winners on Yorkshire Cup day at York in May, along with his stablemate Portcullis.

The latter looked a really smart prospect when dominating his rivals in the Wood Ditton at Newmarket on his debut and having doubled his tally on his second start, he will need to have his sights raised next time.

Warren said there were “no immediate plans” for the three-year-old, however.