Gold expects Laaheb to put up bold show
The five-year-old was twice successful in Group Three company last term but victory at today’s Group Two level has so far eluded him.
Laaheb finished a creditable fourth in the Sheema Classic on his first start of his three starts this year, and notched a reasonable fourth behind Await The Dawn at Royal Ascot on his most recent outing.
Trainer Roger Varian issued a proviso that the horse would only run if there is suitable ground on the July course, but Angus Gold, racing manager for owner Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum expects Laaheb to line up after some overnight showers.
“I would have thought he would run, we just didn’t want it too firm for him,” he said. “We were thrilled with his run at Ascot, he travelled well into the straight but just got a bit stuck in the ground.’’
One trainer who would not want to see too much rain is Mark Johnston as he seeks a fourth win in the race with Dordogne.
The Middleham handler saddled Fruits Of Love (1998), Bandari (2004) and Soapy Danger (2006) to land the 12-furlong heat, with the first and last-named being part of the Classic generation.
Johnston is unconcerned about taking on older rivals with Lingfield Derby Trial winner Dordogne, but he does want quick ground for his runner. “I’ve won this race three times before and twice with three-year-olds so I think it’s possibly an advantage for Dordogne — it wouldn’t worry me at all,” he said.
“I just hope it stays fast for him at Newmarket. I known they’ve had some rain but Newmarket generally dries quite well.’’
Meanwhile the two-year-old pecking order may become slightly clearer after three days at Newmarket, starting with the TNT July Stakes today.
Those who ran well at Ascot and unexposed types who skipped the meeting clash, with Jeremy Noseda’s Roman Soldier bringing Coventry Stakes form to the table.
He found only Aidan O’Brien’s unbeaten Power too good in Ascot’s premier juvenile contest and while Noseda felt he ran above expectations last month, he expects him to be involved at the business end again. “I was delighted with his run at Ascot. I think we were hoping we’d finish fourth or fifth but to finish second was above our expectations going in. He should be competitive again,” he said.
Richard Hannon is always a force to be reckoned with in races of this nature and won the corresponding event 12 months ago with Libranno.
This year his representative is North Star Boy, winner of an Ascot maiden but only seventh in the Coventry.
“North Star Boy won’t be one of the favourites for the July Stakes, but, then again, Libranno was a 10-1 chance last year,” said Hannon. “Our fellow has five lengths to find with Roman Soldier on Coventry Stakes form, but he made up a lot of ground from the two-pole and we think that there is a bit of improvement to come,” he said.
