It could be a case of history repeating for Jm Jungle who will head to Goodwood to defend his King George Qatar Stakes crown on the back of an encouraging third at York.

John and Sean Quinn’s top sprinter filled the same position in the City Walls Stakes 12 months ago before landing Group Two honours on the Sussex Downs and having been delighted with his performance on the Knavesmire, his training team are eyeing another bold bid at a venue he enjoys visiting.

John Quinn said: “We’re hoping it sets him up well and I think it was a well above average Listed race.

“The second (Aspect Island) was third at a Breeders’ Cup and the winner (Redorange) is an improver. There was also a Grade One winner in the race (Starlust) who was behind us, albeit he didn’t get the best run through the race.

“We were very pleased with our horse and he’s come out of the race really well. His figures this year don’t really do him justice but he ran great at Royal Ascot in the King Charles III and he also ran great first time in the Palace House.

“The main thing is he has come out of York well and we’re pleased with that. He’s won a handicap at Goodwood as well as the Group race last year so he’s going there as a dual course winner and we’re looking forward to it.”

Jm Jungle rapidly rose through the ranks last season to leave handicap competition well behind him, with his Goodwood success signalling a second half of the season mixing it with the best sprinters around.

The top-level competition has continued this term and shows no sign of stopping with Goodwood the start of a busy run of elite contests pencilled on the six-year-old’s calendar.

Quinn added: “The plan is Goodwood, York (for the Nunthorpe), Curragh (for the Flying Five) and we’ll probably put him in the Prix de l’Abbaye again – he didn’t get a draw there last year but if he got a draw I think he’d run well.”

By Racing TV

Photo: Healy Racing