Drop in trip not a problem – O’Brien
The Danehill colt finished third in the Derby at Epsom in June before going on to record a most impressive success in the Irish equivalent the following month.
He has not been seen on the racecourse since that display but his handler is looking forward to saddling him in the £500,000 showpiece event.
“Dylan Thomas is in good form and he’s had a break since the Irish Derby,” the Ballydoyle maestro told At The Races yesterday.
“He seems in good shape. We have never thought a mile and a quarter would be any problem to him and he shows plenty of pace so hopefully he’ll run well.”
He is set to face seven rivals on the Knavesmire including the Sir Michael Stoute-trained Maraahel, who lifted the Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot and ran a bold race in this contest last year.
Big-race pilot Richard Hills told Teletext: “He was third in this race last year and if everything goes to plan he has a decent each-way chance again.
“Whether we can beat Dylan Thomas or not is open to debate as he was very impressive when he won the Irish Derby.
“In the King George at Ascot we followed Hurricane Run into the straight but Maraahel wasn’t travelling.
“Then he got a knock off Enforcer and seemed to sulk for a few strides before running on again at the finish – it all happened at the wrong time in the race but Maraahel can be like that.
“However, he’s in great form at the moment and worked well the other morning.
“Dylan Thomas in undoubtedly the main danger but Maraahel is definitely on a par with the rest of the fiel and one of these days he’s going to win a Group One.”
Godolphin will be represented by their five-year-old Cherry Mix, who put some disappointing performances behind him when recording his second success at the highest level on a recent trip to Germany.
He will be stepping down in trip in the extended mile-and-a-quarter affair but promises to be well suited by the softish going.
“Cherry Mix was a Group One winner in Germany last time and the soft ground certainly helped him that day,” trainer Saeed bin Suroor told the www.godolphin.com site.
“Hopefully, the ground at York will also be suitable for him.
“He came back very well after his run in Germany and we are looking forward to a good run from him. It is a very tough race though.”
Prix d’Ispahan hero Laverock is also likely to be at home on the easy going and connections are expecting a typically bold show from their consistent four-year-old.
“He’s been running in some good races and should be up to running well in this sort of race,” explained Bruce Raymond, racing manager to owners Gainsborough Stud.
“I think the soft ground should help him – it is definitely in his favour and could hopefully level things up with a horse like Dylan Thomas.
“It does look a fairly open race. I’d think Cherry Mix might want a bit further but Maraahel is a good horse too.”
Ladbrokes believe Dylan Thomas will take the drop in trip in his stride and make him the even-money favourite to gain his second Group One success. He is also an even money chance with Cashmans.
