Trainer Charlie Hills will be praying hollandaise is on the menu when stable star Dutch Connection lines up in the John Of Gaunt stakes at Haydock on Saturday.
The Godolphin-owned six-year-old has been mixing it at the highest level in recent starts, but with his sights now lowered, connections are hoping he’ll prove too classy.
The son of Dutch Art was last seen running a cracker to finish fourth in the Lockinge Stakes behind Rhododendron.
However, there’ll be nothing of that calibre in the field on Saturday, and with only seven rivals in opposition, it’s of little surprise that he heads the market at 2-1.
What’s more, the Supreme Stakes winner will be tackling his preferred distance of seven furlongs for the first time since last October, and trainer Charlie Hills believes that will help him rediscover the winning thread.
He said: “He ran a blinder at Newbury and it’s been the plan to aim for this race since.
“I think coming back to seven furlongs will definitely suit him and he does want fast ground, so I hope they don’t get any more rain.
It won’t be easy, that’s for sure, but he has some good form and hopefully he has a decent chance.”
Also in the race is Emmaus, who won in fine style at Leicester in a Listed race and will step up in class for the Group 3 contest.
The Roger Varian-trained four-year-old has had four starts in his career so far, winning three, and the manner of his victory last time suggests he won’t be long in adding another to his collection.
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Another horse likely to benefit from the seven furlong trip is Tabarrak.
Richard Hannon’s gelding looked at the start of his career as though he may turn into something special, and although he’s not quite reached the heights his trainer hoped for, a Listed victory on his most recent start was a step in the right direction.
Angus Gold, racing manager for owner Hamdan Al Maktoum, said: “Tabarrak is a lovely horse who always gives it his best. I’m sure he will again on Saturday.
“It’s the right sort of race for him. I think seven furlongs is pretty much his optimum distance and he’s obviously won at the track.”
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Also on the card is the Group 3 Betway Pinnacle Stakes, which was won last year by future Group 1 superstar Bateel.
It’s likely a couple of the fillies lining up will have similar top-level aspirations this season, with perhaps the most promising of them being Luca Cumani’s God Given.
Last year’s Prix Minerve winner was a bit below-par on her reappearance, but that was against the boys.
Now running against her own sex and with an outing behind her, she will almost certainly prove a different proposition.
Among those lining up against her will be Crimson Rosette, who carries the famous Cracksman silks of Anthony Oppenheimer.
Trained by Charlie Fellowes, the improving filly comes into the contest of the back of an exceptional performance at Doncaster, and hopes are high she can improve once again.
Her trainer said: “It’s a big step up, but as far as Group Threes go, I didn’t think it looked the strongest race in the world.
“She’s won three out of her last four races, so she’s on a roll. I thought she was very impressive at Doncaster and the second has won since.
“She’ll like the ground and, on breeding, the step up in trip could even bring about a bit of improvement, so we’re hoping for a big run.”
The feature sprint on the card is the Achilles Stakes at 3.25. Always fast and furious and brimming with speedsters, this year’s race looks no different.
William Haggas’ Muthmir heads the market at 15-8, and although he hasn’t won for a while, at his best he’s capable of scorching the turf.
If on song then he’s the one they’ve got to catch, and Angus Gold, racing manager for owner Hamdan Al Maktoum, believes he’ll benefit from a lower class.
He said: “This looks the right race for him. We’re dropping him in grade a little bit and it looks like he should get his favoured fast ground.
“We think the ability is still there, so fingers crossed.”
Taking on the eight-year-old speedball will be Final Venture, who lines up for crack sprint trainer Paul Midgley.
The son of rapid King’s Stand winner Equiano looked as though he was coming to the boil last time out with a good third in a competitive handicap, and Midgley thinks he’s got a good chance if he doesn’t miss the break.
He said: “He did run well at York a couple of weeks ago. He just dwelt a bit on the stalls and missed the start, but he can do that from time to time.
“Muthmir is obviously the one to beat, but they say you should never be afraid of one horse and we’ll give it a shot.”
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Midgley’s pocket rocket has history with Alpha Delphini, who lines up in the race as one of the more prolific performers. The pair finished only a short head apart at Ascot two years ago, and Bryan Smart, Alpha Delphini’s trainer, is hoping his stable star can come out on top again.
He said: “He’s in good form, I’m very happy with him and I’m hoping for a good run.
“He was doing his best work at the finish at Newmarket last time. He didn’t actually come down the dip very well.
“He’s run well at Haydock before and going back on a level track should be good for him.”
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