Super Noverre can shine on Frankie

13 April 2012

Noverre can be crowned King of the Milers in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot?s Festival of Racing tomorrow and bring a lump to trainer David Loder?s throat.

It must be heart-wrenching to see a racehorse which one has done all the groundwork on, taken away to grab the glory for some other handler.

Of course, Loder is under no misapprehensions about his role with ?the boys in blue?, he is Godolphin?s juvenile wizard. A blue-blooded string of predominantly two-year-olds learn the ropes at his new nursery school at Newmarket to feed into the Godolphin chain the next season as young blades for trainer Saeed bin Suroor to hone to perfection.

Loder worked his magic on Noverre in France last term when stationed at his former Evry-based yard.

The son of Rahy started off winning a Listed event at Maisons-Laffitte, came over to lift the July Stakes at Newmarket by a short head from Media Mogul and then added Doncaster?s Champagne Stakes by a length-and-a-quarter from Cd Europe. However, defeat followed in the Dewhurst Stakes, the ?classic? for two-year-olds at Newmarket, when he was beaten by Tobougg. Yet Noverre had already stamped himself as a top-rank individual.

His present campaign with Saeed bin Suroor received a blow when he was disqualified from first place after testing positive for a banned substance in the French 2,000 Guineas at Longchamp in May. Vahorimix, who was beaten a head, was awarded the race.

Noverre was later cut down by Black Minnaloushe in a thrilling race for the St. James?s Palace Stakes over tomorrow?s course and distance at the Royal meeting. But he was not long recovering his winning form and took Goodwood?s mile highlight, the Sussex Stakes, from the ironically named No Excuse Needed, by a convincing two lengths.

Vahorimix was bad news again for Noverre last month when they met in the controversial Prix Jacques le Marois at Deauville, where the Godolphin colt got into all sorts of trouble in running.

The German mare, Proudwings, was first past the post that day but was disqualified for causing interference and placed last. Vahorimix was again awarded the top spot, with Noverre promoted from fourth to third. But I prefer to base calculations on Noverre?s Sussex Stakes triumph.

No Excuse Needed, trained by Sir Michael Stoute, soon got over his defeat in the Sussex and turned out at Goodwood once more in the Celebration Mile to put Tamburlaine in his place by a length-and-a-half. That win paid a tremendous compliment to Noverre, making him appear just about the best thing around over eight furlongs.

I expect him to be another winner for Frankie Dettori, whose never-to -be-forgotten ?Magnificent Seven? at this meeting five years ago, still casts its spell.

Summoner is the Godolphin pacemaker and he should ensure that Noverre gets the strong gallop he needs. No Excuse Needed is taken as the main threat and the enigmatic Vahorimix could prove best of the rest.

On all three days of the Betdaq Ascot Festival there will stands to the left of the Paddock showcasing organisations promoting the breeding and ownership of racehorses.

There will also be a ?Discover Racing and Betting Stage? where there will be interviews with racing personalities.

Entertainments take place in most enclosures with the main Grandstand lawn the setting for dodgems and a carousel. A helterskelter is one of the many attractions in the Silver Ring.

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Super Noverre can shine on Frankie

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