Meehan’s target is York

Second in two Group One events last season, she found her niche once returned to sprinting distances.

Lady Of The Desert won the Princess Margaret Stakes at Ascot and the Lowther on the Knavesmire as a juvenile, and the idea is for her to return to Yorkshire.

‘‘It is the plan to run Lady of the Desert in the Duke of York Stakes,’’ said Bruce Raymond, owner Jaber Abdullah’s racing manager.

‘‘She is fine and going well, although she has only just started proper work. She is a very fast filly who can run over both five or six furlongs.

‘‘We hope that she can run well at York before going to Royal Ascot for one of the big sprints there.’’ Jeremy Noseda has three possibles for the Group Two event – Laddies Poker Two, not seen since winning the Wokingham on her only start last season, Leahurst, victorious in both of his races at the 2010 Dubai Carnival, and Himalya.

‘‘The Duke of York Stakes is definitely a race that we will consider for both Laddies Poker Two and Leahurst, both of whom are back in full training,’’ said Noseda.

‘‘Leahurst sustained an injury in Dubai that sadly curtailed his four-year-old campaign but I am very happy with him.

‘‘Laddies Poker Two has always been quite a delicate filly to handle but I am pleased with her too at present.

The plan is for them both to come under consideration for the Duke of York, but we will make our decisions nearer the time.

‘‘Himalya is also an option for the race, but most probably he would find the six-furlong trip a little too sharp for him.’’ 􀁧 Overturn is likely to defend his crown in the Scottish Champion Hurdle before reverting to the Flat for the Chester Cup.

Donald McCain’s freewheeling seven-year-old won the Ayr feature in 2010 and will return to Scotland on April 16 for another go.

But the versatile gelding is also being geared towards another campaign on the level, and is already under consideration for the Chester Cup in May.