One-time Derby hope Midterm looking to get back on track at Newbury on Saturday
Sir Michael Stoute's colt looked to have big season ahead when winning Sandown's Classic Trial last season but injury ruled him out of the Derby and he had an interrupted campaign
THE talented Midterm aims to make up for lost time when he makes his seasonal debut in the Dubai Duty Free Finest Surprise Stakes at Newbury.
Midterm looked set for a successful 2016 campaign when he kicked off with a promising victory over Algometer in Sandown's Classic Trial, only to miss the Investec Derby with a stress fracture after disappointing in the Dante Stakes at York.
Sir Michael Stoute's colt was sidelined until September, when he returned with a close second to Japanese raider Makahiki in the Prix Niel at Chantilly.
He was then pitched in at the deep end in the Qipco Champion Stakes at Ascot in October when he was seventh to Almanzor.
Teddy Grimthorpe, racing manager to Midterm's owner Khalid Abdullah, said: "Midterm is grand. He wintered well and has enjoyed a straightforward preparation for this.
"We think a mile and a half looks to be his best trip, although he was far from disgraced behind Almanzor in the Champion Stakes after an interrupted season.
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"He fits a good Sir Michael Stoute profile going forward. Newbury looks a nice starting point and hopefully he has a clear run this year."
Chemical Charge, formerly trained by Ger Lyons in Ireland, made a winning start to the season for trainer Ralph Beckett with a comfortable success over Saigon City at Doncaster three weeks ago.
"He's come out of his Doncaster win in good form and we're looking forward to running him," said Beckett.
"It was a good start for the year. We think he can be competitive on Saturday."
Crimean Tatar is the most inexperienced horse in the field, but is the only unbeaten runner in the line-up.
The Hugo Palmer-trained four-year-old claimed the scalp of Chemical Charge at Kempton in November on the second of his two starts.
"He's by Sea The Stars out of a Sadler's Wells mare and the family tend to progress with age," said Rob Speers, racing manager to owner Ibrahim Araci.
"It's well known that he had a setback at two which prevented him from running, but since then he's done nothing other than improve.
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"Physically, he now looks the best he has ever done and we're looking forward to an exciting season ahead."
William Haggas saddles Dal Harraild, who signed off last season with a Listed success at Newmarket.
The Newmarket handler said: "He'll need the run, however he is in good form at home.
"It looks a hot race but he will love the ground there and that is why I am running him.
"He has to have quick ground."