MAGICAL Memory could next be seen on the opening day of the York season in the Duke of York Clipper Logistics Stakes on Wednesday, May 11.

The Charles Hills-trained sprint star began his four-year-old campaign with a fine win in the Abernant Stakes at Newmarket last week.

It was a performance that suggested the striking grey, owned by Kennet Valley Racing, could be a leading light among the speedsters.

The victory, by a neck, maintained his progressive profile after a fine 2015 season in which he clinched the Stewards' Cup at Glorious Goodwood en route to finishing third in the Group 1 Sprint Cup at Haydock.

Now the son of Zebedee has been pencilled in for a tilt at the £120,000 Group 2 sprint highlight of the three-day Dante Festival.

Sam Hoskins, racing manager for Kennet Valley Racing, said: "Charlie has been really happy with how Magical Memory has come out of his win at Newmarket. I personally was very impressed with his performance that day.

"I thought that, although on paper it looked a race that was there for the taking, we knew he would need the run and could be vulnerable to something fitter first time out, especially on easy ground.

"But it wasn't the case and he was definitely value for more than the winning margin and was vastly superior. He showed a very impressive turn of foot to put the race to bed.

"He has done very well from three to four and looks a stronger model this year. We gave him an extended winter break, having had our last run at Haydock in early September. This meant he had a good long break and he really did well for it.

"Winning at Newmarket was a great start to the year and we are hopeful he can build on that at York before heading to Royal Ascot for the Diamond Jubilee Stakes.

"At this stage we would like to run in the Duke Of York, although if conditions weren't in his favour he has another entry in the Greenlands Stakes at The Curragh on Irish 2000 Guineas day (May 21).

"The flat six furlongs on hopefully fast-ish ground at York should really suit and he is a strong traveller, which is essential at York where they always go a good gallop in sprints.

"We have been beaten three times by Twilight Son but we are getting 5lb from him and, with that in our favour, I could see him running him very close.

"York is a terrific racecourse to take syndicates like Kennet Valley to. The racing is top class and the hospitality from the track is second to none."

York's season-opening Dante Festival runs from Wednesday, May 11 to Friday, May 13.