Sam Hoskins, racing manager to owners Kennet Valley Thoroughbreds, has confirmed connections are planning to run Magical Memory in the Duke of York Stakes in May.

The five-year-old will be aiming for back-to-back victories in the race after a stunning performance last May.

He was given a superb ride by Frankie Dettori over six furlongs to claim the Group Two contest on the Knavesmire.

Magical Memory was expected to kick on from there but has struggled for form and also suffered an injury in the autumn.

Since winning at York he has finished fourth at Ascot, seventh at Newmarket and 14th at Haydock but connections are expecting the grey to show his best form in two months’ time.

Hoskins told reporters: “He had a little setback in the autumn. He was going to go for a Group Three at Ascot but he injured his check ligament.

“He’s fine now but that meant he had to miss the Champions Sprint or the Breeders’ Cup.

We weren’t sure what to go for. “Anyway he’s back now and going really nicely.

He’s done really well for his extended break. He probably won’t go to Newmarket for the Abernant but is likely to go straight for the Duke of York which he won last year.

“It should be really exciting. He’s only five but unfortunately there are a load of other geldings around, with Limato and The Tin Man, and the fillies Quiet Reflection and Dancing Star, so it’s going to be a tough division.

“He’s in one piece, that’s the great thing, and we live the dream with him.”