Charlie Hills believes Magical Memory is now a stronger horse as he prepares to bid again for the Diamond Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot this week.
The Zebedee gelding was beaten just half-a-length 12 months ago as he finished a close fourth behind Twilight Son in the six-furlong Group 1 contest.
He’s coming back for another tilt at the prize and his trainer feels he is considerably stronger than he was a year ago.
The Hills racing dynasty are synonymous with Royal Ascot success but the trainer drew a blank at Ascot last time around.
Magical Memory ran a pleasing race on his seasonal reappearance at York last month when second to Tasleet in a Group 2 on the Knavesmire.
The pair could re-oppose at Ascot and Hills is happy with where his charge is at currently.
“He had a racecourse gallop at Newmarket before he went to York and I was very pleased with his comeback run there,” he said.
“I was a bit worried about the ground [at York], but he travelled well in the race and didn’t have a great draw.
I feel that he is a bigger and stronger horse this year and I have been happy with him since York. He goes [to the Diamond Jubilee] with a big chance.”
It will be no easy task for Magical Memory this time around, with Henry Candy’s July Cup winner Limato set to be the headline act come Saturday afternoon.
William Haggas’ Tasleet is also entered having defeated Magical Memory first time up while Aidan O’Brien could run Acapulco, having elected to bypass the King’s Stand Stakes with the former Queen Mary winner.
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