Dettori to silence opponents

13 April 2012

Often the best Derby trial in terms of quality of entries, York's Convergent Communications Dante Stakes can leave as many questions unanswered as resolved.

It's two furlongs shy of the full Classic trip and staged on a track blissfully uncomplicated compared with Epsom. So the winner of tomorrow's renewal may still have points to prove.

Whereas narrow Feilden Stakes winner, the John Dunlop-trained Olden Times, may not get much further than this 10-furlong trip, last year's Racing Post Trophy hero, Dilshaan, and perhaps even Epsom Derby Trial victor, Storming Home, would appreciate further.

The Roger Charlton-trained Aldwych and Dunlop's other string, Rosi's Boy, strike as types adaptable to both distances. But Godolphin's Celtic Silence looks ideally suited by these conditions.

A big horse and a powerful galloper, York is the perfect foil for his talents. He has much to prove but, despite his size, had class enough to win at Royal Ascot last June. His then trainer, Mark Johnston, made no secret of the high regard with which he held him and his new owners heeded his advice that the colt would need time. He didn't race again as a juvenile.

His reappearance on the dirt of Nad Al Sheba was promising. Granted, stable-mate Inchlonaig was likewise fourth in the UAE Derby last year and his season came to nothing, but Celtic Silence will appreciate a less tight track and reverting to turf. Light showers today should keep the ground nearer good than the current official description. Jockey Frankie Dettori rides this course well and has been delivering some fine tactical performances.

Aldwych is the danger. He beat When In Rome (who failed to handle the downhill finish when third to Perfect Sunday in last Saturday's Lingfield Derby Trial) with rather more in hand than the three-quarter-length margin would suggest at Bath earlier this month. But he idled in front and carried his head high in off-putting fashion in the final furlong. He's also trying ground faster than good-to-soft for the first time.

It was stamina and an illtimed challenge on runner-up and subsequent 2,000 Guineas second Tamburlaine that won the day for Dilshaan in heavy ground at Doncaster last October and the emphasis here will be more on speed. Olden Times's form was badly let down by Sunny Glenn three days ago while Rosi's Boy is felt to lack quality. Storming Home must be respected, given trainer Barry Hills' Derby-trial strike rate this term.

The Convergent Networks Middleton Stakes witnesses a re-match between Dahlia Stakes winner Cayman Sunset and third Flossy, fourth Moselle and seventh (last) Everlasting Love. This extra trip could test Ed Dunlop's in-foal charge, so game Flossy could come out best of this quartet, having stayed on strongly at Newmarket last time when the cause appeared lost.

But Valentine Band looked potentially very smart when winning at Pontefract last July until injury struck. Trainer Charlton is in form and rates her highly. Ski Run returns to the scene of her unlucky Lonsdale third, when the saddle slipped. She needs further.

Entries in the Prince Of Wales's, Eclipse and Queen Anne Stakes speak volumes for the cause of Tough Speed in the PricewaterhouseCoopers Hambleton Rated Stakes. His sole start last term came in a hot contest won by Shibboleth with Queen Elizabeth II winner Observatory in attendance. Top-weight Tillerman also boasts a host of awesome engagements, but must concede 7lb to Kieren Fallon's mount.

York selections: 2.05, Gdansk; 2.35, Valentine Band (nb); 3.10, Celtic Silence; 3.40, Tough Speed (nap); 4.10, Addeyll; 4.40, Mana d'Argent.

MORE ABOUT

Ascot Racecourse

Dettori to silence opponents

Read More