King George the big summer target for returning Isle Of Jura as George Scott eyes more lucrative prizes in Bahrain

Hardwicke hero and Bahrain Triple Crown winner Isle Of Jura is firmly on the road to recovery and will be aimed at a return to Royal Ascot in June.

The five-year-old was the flagbearer for trainer George Scott last year, winning all five of his starts, but was ruled for the year after his Hardwicke win due to injury. 

The Victorious Racing-owned gelding is now on track to race this summer and will once more be aimed at Royal Ascot after returning to work at Scott's Eve Lodge Stables in Newmarket. 

"The scans keep coming back positively and he's out trotting, so we're really pleased," said Scott. "We'd love to have him back for Royal Ascot – whether he gets a run before that remains to be seen. 

"He got quite frustrated not training, to the point where he was quite boisterous, so he had a few weeks turned out before coming back. He looks fantastic now, and he's happier than anyone to be back in work."

Isle Of Jura's 16-1 Hardwicke win may have been a shock to punters, but it confirmed the strong belief Scott held in his runner. Under Callum Shepherd, he fended off subsequent King George winner Goliath, and connections are hoping that Ascot Group 1 race can be in their sights this year.

Scott said: "The King George is the race we want him in tip-top shape for, that's our big summer target. We'll give him all the time he needs, though, as he's such a special horse. He's lightly raced and has plenty of road ahead of him."

Phantom Flight: flagbearer for the yard this year in BahrainCredit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

Isle Of Jura's stellar year kicked off in Bahrain, where he became the first winner of the country's Triple Crown. Scott has sent a promising five-strong team to the country this year in the hope of even more success.

"Last year was really a dream for us, because His Highness Shaikh Nasser is so passionate about his racing and for Rocket Rodney and Isle Of Jura to win at his home track was great," said Scott.

"Isle Of Jura was a freak to do what he did and went on to prove it again at Ascot, which showed everyone that the racing in Bahrain is on a significant upward trajectory. It's great to be out here again with some nice horses."

Chief among Scott's Bahrain team is Strensall runner-up Phantom Flight, who runs on Friday week. He will contest part of the Bahrain Triple Crown, but the final leg could be left to stablemate Touch The Moon. 

"Phantom Flight is really our flagship horse out here, he's been thriving here and runs next Friday," added Scott. 

"He's got the Crown Prince's Cup [January 31] and the Sheikh Nassar Cup [February 21] in his sights, but I think the King's Cup [March 21] over a mile and a half will probably stretch him, so I'm tilting towards Touch The Moon going there instead. He'd have to climb the ladder but he's really come to life in Bahrain. 

"Touch The Moon has already won here and so did Watch My Tracer, who will be fun in Bahrain alongside Rocket Rodney. The horses are in the right headspace and so much credit goes to our amazing staff, particularly Poppy Green, our apprentice Liam Wright and Rosie Jessop." 

Rocket Rodney: will defend his title in the Al Riffa Cup on FridayCredit: Mark Cranham (racingpost.com/photos)

Last year's Bahrain double formed part of a career-best 12 months for Scott, who also won the Palace House with Seven Questions and the German St Leger with recent Dubai runner Prydwen. 

"I would have snapped anyone's hand off to have that year," he said. "It was beyond anything we could have imagined. 

"Everyone worked hard at the yard to make it happen and it was magical. We've strengthened considerably at the yearling sales because of it, which is exciting, and have just bought King Of Bears too. We start back from zero again now, but we're hoping to continue our upward trajectory."

Read more:

'He’s certainly the most exciting horse we’ve had for some time' - George Scott eyeing Royal Ascot return for Isle Of Jura 

Hardwicke the plan for Bahrain star Isle Of Jura following success on home soil 

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