DUBAI DESTINATION, potentially Godolphin's number one hope for next month's Vodafone Derby, makes his seasonal reappearance at Goodwood in today's Predominate Stakes.
The Saeed Bin Suroor colt is bound to go off at a miserly starting price, but it's not surprising the bookmakers have donned their tin hats because Dubai Destination (3.40) looked every inch a future champion by slamming Rock Of Gibraltar in the 2001 Champagne Stakes at Doncaster.
Since then Rock Of Gibraltar has gone on to greater glory by claiming the Sagitta 2,000 Guineas and there can be no doubting the high class value of the form. As far as the rest of the field are concerned, Highdown, Playapart, plus the Terry Mills' trained Frankies Dream will all have their each-way supporters.
Of the trio I believe the latter may prove to be the one to chase the selection home having put in a much-improved effort to score when visored for the first time at Lingfield.
In the earlier one mile Newton Investment Management Stakes Sarraaf (2.30) can make up an unlucky defeat at on his British debut.
The ex-Irish six-year-old was all dressed up with nowhere to go in the Thirsk Hunt Cup - hemmed in behind a wall of horses at the two furlong pole. When the gelding did eventually find daylight he absolutely flew only just failing to overhaul well-backed favourite, Tedstale.
Given a clearer passage Ian Semple's raider, who is travelling all the way down from Scotland, must be in with a shout.
The £50,000 Showcase race has not surprisingly attracted a very strong line-up choc full of promising three-year-olds.
I feel the winner may come from lower down the weights in the guise of Prince Hector (4.15), who failed to justify favouritism on his comeback outing at Newmarket over seven furlongs.
It may have been the case that the trip was too short for Amanda Perrett's colt, a theory supported by the decision to step him up an extra two furlongs.
There are a couple of horses to be interested in at Beverley starting with Calatagan (3.55) the Rapid Lad Handicap.
Julie Camacho's handsome son of Danzig Connection caught my eye at Pontefract not only in the paddock, but also when keeping on nicely to take fifth spot in quite a hot heat.
And in the closing Beaver Handicap, Montessori Mio (5.05) might be worth chancing despite being well beaten at Ripon 33 days ago.
On that occasion Montessori Mio appeared to be a shade burly and could have been suffering from a lack of peak fitness. Fortunately Middleham High Moor has recently been opened and consequently the Peter Savill-owned gelding has benefited from a longer period of time out at exercise.
* Dupont, trained by William Haggas, landed a Classic double yesterday by taking the Mehl Mulhens Rennen (German 2,000 Guineas) at Cologne.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article