Roger Varian eyes Ascot for Dragon Symbol

Dragon Symbol is likely to head to the Qipco British Champions Sprint Stakes at Ascot on 15 October following his pleasing run in the Curragh's Flying Five earlier this month.

The four-year-old has had an indifferent year since switching to Roger Varian ahead of the current campaign, but a confidence-boosting victory in a first-time hood at Hamilton has signalled an upturn in his fortunes and following a respectable fifth in the Nunthorpe on his next start, he produced arguably his best performance of the season in Ireland.

Drawn on the wrong side of the track and also missing the break, he kept on resolutely in the closing stages to finish best of the lowest-drawn runners, beaten only five lengths by the prolific Highfield Princess.

Varian believes that performance can be upgraded slightly and with confidence restored, he has the option of moving back up to six furlongs for further Group One action on British Champions Day.

Highfield Princess (5/4f) completes a Group 1 hat-trick by winning the Al Basti Equiworld Flying Five Stakes at the Curragh.