Newmarket handler could be represented at York by Ajman Bridge and Mount Logan

TRAINER Luca Cumani will seek to add to his impressive list of successes at York this Saturday when he will target the 56th running of the John Smith’s Cup, with either Ajman Bridge or Mount Logan – or possibly both.

The Italian has struck gold in many of York’s top races, including the Betfred Ebor, the Darley Yorkshire Oaks and the Juddmonte International Stakes.

But Cumani has yet to land the famous extended mile and a quarter handicap – a matter he plans to address this weekend.

Ajman Bridge, a son of Dubawi, was last seen finishing second to Saturday’s likely rival, Arab Dawn, in the Duke of Edinburgh Handicap at Royal Ascot. He had previously finished third to subsequent Old Newton Cup winner Notarised, in a handicap at the Dante Festival and on form he looks to have a strong chance of giving the Newmarket-based trainer a first win in the race.

Stable-mate, Mount Logan, also has strong claims to land the bulk of the £150,000 pot, following a solid fourth in the Wolferton Stakes at Royal Ascot. He was beaten just a length and a repeat of that effort would see him in with a decent chance.

Cumani said: “We have yet to finalise plans and at this stage both could run or we may just run one.

“Both horses ran excellent races at Royal Ascot and seem in very good form at home.

“It may be that they both are better over a mile and a half but ten furlongs in such a competitive race where there is a good pace should be fine for them. They have good form and would both go there with a chance.

“It would be a great race to win – many moons ago I won the race but was disqualified. It would be very nice to win it.”

The £150,0000 John Smith’s Cup now has 44 in it after the confirmation stage with market leaders Lightning Spear and Arab Dawn standing their ground.

Ever since it was first run in 1960, the John Smith’s Cup has had a story to tell and 2014 saw Andrea Atzeni claim success for the second year running.

Who will prevail in the 56th renewal and land both a bumper prize and a unique Wedgwood trophy? The last winning favourite was the Walter Swinburn-trained Fairmile, successful in 2006 under Adam Kirby at odds of 6/1.

The support of the Tadcaster brewer makes this the longest running sponsorship on the Flat anywhere in the world and the event is one of Yorkshire’s finest. In addition to the day’s feature there are also six other races on the card including two Listed contests in the John Smith’s Silver Cup and the John Smith’s City Walls Stakes.

The latter looks set for a full field after attracting 24 entries, including last year’s winner Take Cover and the evergreen Kingsgate Native, winner of the 2007 Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes.

The two-date meeting gets underway on Friday with the first of a seven-race card off at 1.45pm.

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