'He's in great shape' - William Haggas eyes Group 1 prizes for dark horse Skardu

William Haggas plans on keeping the classy Skardu over a mile this season, with last season's Craven Stakes winner out for a breakthrough success at the top-level this term.

The Newmarket trainer looks to once again have an exciting squad for the season ahead, with the son of Shamardal hoping to join Haggas's Group 1 club that features One Master and Addeybb.

Last season, Skardu finished third in the 2,000 Guineas and fourth in the Irish edition and the St James's Palace Stakes but has been off since August. He is pleasing his trainer at home.

Haggas, who had 142 winners last year, said: "Skardu's in great shape but we're not sure where he'll go. He'll either get a small target followed by the Queen Anne or we'll start him off in the Lockinge. I think at the moment we'll keep him over a mile."

Addeybb returned home at the end of April after recording two Group 1 wins in Australia for the team. Ridden on both occasions by Tom Marquand, he won the Ranvet Stakes at Rosehill and Randwick's Queen Elizabeth Stakes.

Addeybb: enjoyed back-to-back Group 1 victories in AustraliaCredit: Edward Whitaker

"Addeybb's fine and he's in great form," said Haggas. "I don't know what we'll do with him yet but we're planning to keep going with him and see what happens. He was absolutely wonderful out in Australia and we're very proud of him. It was great."

Haggas is once again stocked up with plenty of three-year-old talent for the Classics, especially in the fillies department.

He trains eyecatching Doncaster winner Domino Darling and Born With Pride, who won a Listed race at Newmarket on her debut in the same colours of former stable star Sea Of Class.

"We've got some promising ones," he added. "They're winners of one race so a long way from being Classic horses, but we all dream. They're just starting working and we'll have to look for a trial somewhere and go from there."

And of One Master, back-to-back winner of the Prix de la Foret on Arc weekend, he added: "We're thinking she'll be one for later on in the year but she's doing well and is in great form."

Read more:

Addeybb: how he went from soft-ground handicapper to Group 1 hero in Australia

'It was a gamble' - Haggas plan pays off as Addeybb runs riot at Randwick

'Don't forget Threat' says Hannon with star prospect on course for 2,000 Guineas

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