Crystal Black confirmed for Cumberland challenge

Gerard Keane is confident Crystal Black can do himself justice on a rare trip across the Irish Sea for Saturday’s BetMGM Cumberland Lodge Stakes at Ascot.

The seven-year-old weakened late on to finish fifth in the Irish St Leger earlier this month and will drop down in grade as he returns to a mile and a half.

The son of Teofilo has previously enjoyed success at Group Three level when winning the Ballyroan Stakes at Leopardstown and has also been victorious at Ascot, when winning the Duke of Edinburgh Stakes at the Royal meeting last year as he reeled off five straight victories.

Keane said: “He’s come out of the St Leger well and we’ve entered him in the Cumberland Lodge.

“He didn’t stay in the Leger and we’re not 100 per cent sure why. He needed the run and is back to a mile and a half and is probably better right-handed.

“We won at Leopardstown last year on good ground, he has won at Group Three level and should go well.

“I’m not sure where we’ll go next. There could be a race in Ireland for him and there might be a race at Newbury (St Simon Stakes) for him.

“And after that if he’s in good form he might travel a bit.”

Willie Mullins’ Ebor winner Ethical Diamond is among 17 entries in Berkshire, while William Haggas’ recent Chester victor Hamish is among four possibles for his Newmarket handler.

Karl Burke’s Silver Cup scorer Al Qareem is looking to complete a hat-trick having won this race for the last two years.