Wathnan Racing splash the cash ahead of Royal Ascot

Haatem will sport the colours of Wathnan Racing when he drops back in trip for the Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot.

The Qatari-based operation made an immediate impact to their ownership enterprise when striking with Courage Mon Ami and Gregory at the Royal meeting 12 months ago, the former taking home the feature Gold Cup.

Now Wathnan have opened their chequebook once again to sign for a number of promising acquisitions prior to this year's summer showpiece, with Richard Hannon’s 2000 Guineas third and Irish 2,000 Guineas runner-up the standout name among their list of new recruits.

Keen to avoid locking horns with impressive Newmarket winner Notable Speech, and meeting stablemate Rosallion for a third time this season, the Craven Stakes scorer will revert to seven furlongs in Berkshire – where his proven stamina is anticipated to be an asset for the Jersey.

"We are delighted to get him and it is very hard to buy horses who are proven at Classic level, but he looks a really tough, likeable horse," said Wathnan’s racing adviser Richard Brown.

"James Doyle was very taken by him and he had obviously ridden him at Newmarket and is a great addition to the team.

"There are a few reasons for dropping back to seven furlongs, most notably Notable Speech and Rosallion are going to be tough nuts to crack. We also think he showed plenty of speed in Ireland and with it being a very stiff seven at Ascot, as we all know, I think he will be very strong at the line.

"He will have a penalty, but he’s a big, strong horse and he should be able to carry it and will hopefully go to the Jersey with a strong chance."

Also now lining up for Wathnan on the Saturday of Royal Ascot will be Shartash, who is two from two since joining Archie Watson and will