Doyle banking on Bermuda to turn up the heat at Newmarket

James Doyle is relishing the prospect of his reunion with Flora Of Bermuda as she seeks a change in fortunes in the Al Basti Equiworld, Dubai July Cup Stakes at Newmarket.

The Andrew Balding-trained filly was purchased by Wathnan Racing before Royal Ascot, where she finished third in the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes under PJ McDonald as Doyle rode Lazzat, also owned by Wathnan, to success.

Her prior form includes plenty of near-misses, including a second-placed run in the Duke of York Clipper Stakes this season and three smart Group One efforts last term.

Doyle, who rode the four-year-old in her career debut as a juvenile and has partnered her just once since, is hopeful she will this time be favoured by fortune as she tries again to score at the highest grade.

He said: “When you look at her profile she’s only won a Group Three and then the Alice Keppel before, which is mad,” said Doyle.

“She ran a hell of a race in the Champions Sprint, just behind Kind Of Blue. She wasn’t beaten far at all.

“She ran a hell of a race at Haydock as well and she ran well in behind Lazzat in the Prix Maurice de Gheest last year.

“She’s run some incredible races in Group Ones, so you’d like to think she can get her head in front in one of them.

“It’s been a little bit frustrating for the guys, and I’m sure her previous owners – hopefully she can get that Group One on the board.”

Of Flora Of Bermuda’s CV, which has seen her win only twice from 15 runs but also only come home out of the money twice, Doyle added: “She doesn’t seem to get the most luck in running, she seems to find a few traffic problems.

“She’s due a nice draw in the middle somewhere, that would be lovely for her just to simplify things.

“I think she’s a filly who likes to just be ridden with a touch of restraint, just not too far off them.”

Doyle, who has yet to land the July Cup, feels Flora Of Bermuda has the credentials to lay claim to a Group One and is naturally hopeful that Saturday’s race will prove the ideal opportunity.

“I haven’t ridden her for a little while, but I think with the form she’s shown and the way she’s hit the crossbar in these Group Ones, I’m hoping she can win one,” he added.

“Whether it’s the July Cup or other targets further down the line, we’ll have to wait and see, but she thoroughly deserves her spot in the line-up.”