Hawkbill hovers after final tune-up for York

Godolphin trainer Charlie Appleby was "pleased" with Hawkbill's final piece of serious work in preparation for Wednesday's G1 Juddmonte International at York, in which the rising star will attempt his seventh win on the trot.

The Kitten's Joy colt galloped six furlongs this morning (Thursday) on the grass gallop at Moulton Paddocks, Newmarket (UK), in the company of his usual lead horse.

Appleby said: "He went through the gears nicely, and I was pleased with him. It was nice building work."

Hawkbill was partnered by his usual work rider Maurizio Pasquale , who also gave the thumbs up after this final preparatory gallop prior to York's famous four-day Ebor Meeting.

Appleby goes to Knavesmire with an improving horse, who appears to have thrived since winning the G1 Coral Eclipse at Sandown Park last month -- and one who is likely to cope with any ground conditions.

"He is the same body weight as he was going into the Eclipse, which is surprising because visually he appears heavier. The scales say he is exactly the same, though.

"I would say that he is strengthening and still maturing physically.

"As for the ground at York, he can handle soft, as we saw at Ascot and Sandown, and if it is sound underfoot, it would not worry him either. Being by Kitten's Joy, he would probably appreciate a sounder surface, anyway," he added.

Appleby was full of praise for Hawkbill, who has become the Godolphin flagship in Europe.

"He stepped up again from Ascot to Sandown, and with The Gurkha (2nd in the Coral-Eclipse) coming out and winning the G1 Sussex Stakes at Goodwood, the form is very solid," he pointed out.