Johnston has plenty to look forward to with Ancient Egypt

In a season where Charlie Johnston might yet hit the Classic target, he has high hopes for the future with Ancient Egypt after the regally-bred youngster made a winning debut at Beverley last week.

Kia Joorabchian’s Amo Racing operation went to 1,100,000 guineas for the son of Frankel out of Atone, who is a sister to Midday.

Ridden by Rowan Scott, he needed all of the extended seven-furlong trip to get on top but was doing his best work in the closing stages and Johnston – who won the same race 12 months ago with his dual Derby-placed and now St Leger-bound colt Lazy Griff – is keen to get him out again this season.

“He’s come out of the race good, I was relieved to get his head in front on debut,” said the Middleham handler.

“He horse we’ve always liked. He’s a big boy. He’s a horse for next year. I’m not sure what we’ll do with him now, I’m sure we’ll see him again at least once more this year, quite how quickly we step up in class, we’ll have to have a think about, but he’s a he’s a smart horse.

“I love the way he was only just getting half the idea in the last furlong when he went and put it to bed. Rowan took about half an hour to pull him up and come back in again so he’ll take a big step forward from that. We think he’s a smart horse.

“It was the same race that Lazy Griff won. I’m not going to stand here and say that I’ve been planning that for months, but after he worked last week I thought it was the entry, so let’s hope he ends up in the same sort of echelons as him.”