Muir hopes could be dashed

Willie Muir has conceded that his Texas Gold faces an onerous task when lining up for the 20-runner Vodafone ‘Dash’ at Epsom tomorrow.

A low draw is considered by most trainers to be hard to overcome on the five-furlong track and Muir’s charge will be starting from stall three.

“My horse has to have a lead and he faces a very difficult task,” said the Lambourn-based handler.

“I was speaking to the clerk of the course yesterday and he said that the biggest ever field for a sprint was 18, and when they have a big field they all come over to the stands side.”

The six-year-old was in fine form on the all-weather last winter and notched up a double before just being touched off in a competitive event at Goodwood on his only start this term.

“My aim is to win the Stewards’ Cup with him and I’m sure he will pick up a decent handicap along the way, but the way things have panned out it’s going to be virtually impossible for that to happen tomorrow,” added Muir.