Rajeko looks to back up a good performance in the Middle East when he lines up in the Listed BetMGM Spring Cup over seven furlongs at Lingfield Park on Wednesday.
Following a novice victory at Chelmsford in December, the son of Kameko contested the rearranged Al Rayyan Mile in Qatar last month, in which he finished second to Gr1 runner-up Al Qudra.
Rajeko winning at Chelmsford in December (Pic – Megan Coggin)
Rajeko ran three times on turf in 2024 for Michael Bell, including a debut success at Windsor and a fourth behind Whistlejacket in the Gr2 July Stakes.
Bell said: “Rajeko has come back from Qatar full of the joys of the Middle East and this looks a suitable opportunity for him.
“It was a bit chaotic in Qatar with the change in racecourse, which was very disruptive for the horses, but he handled everything very well. I thought it was a decent performance as he made up ground on Al Qudra, who is rated 110.
“We know he likes the all-weather, having won at Chelmsford, and I think he ticks a lot of boxes for this race.”
Bell also provided an update on Destructive, who looks a leading contender for Finals Day after completing a three-timer at Lingfield Park’s AWC Trials Day last week.
He said: “Destructive has come out of Lingfield in good form and will now wait for the Mile final at Newcastle. He looked promising out in Meydan last winter when he had not fully matured, running a couple of nice races on the dirt.”
“Having had a break and been gelded, he has really strengthened up and looks an exciting horse on artificial surfaces.”
A field of seven for the BetMGM Spring Cup also includes Bountiful, who makes her first appearance for George Boughey since taking fourth in July’s Gr2 Duchess Of Cambridge Stakes.
Dual novice victor Rebel’s Gamble steps up in trip and class for Karl Burke after filling the runner-up spot on his handicap debut at Southwell last month.
William Haggas is the most successful trainer in the BetMGM Spring Cup with four winners. The Newmarket handler saddles Raneenn, a dual winner on turf who finished sixth in the Listed Rockingham Stakes last time out.
Cabelleroso and Dance In The Storm both arrive on the back of novice successes for Hugo Palmer and Andrew Balding. Enola Holmes completes the field for Jack Jones, having narrowly failed to shoulder a penalty at Wolverhampton last time out.
