Distinction camp have grounds for concern

Connections of Distinction are hoping the six-year-old will handle the rain-softened ground tomorrow when he bids to justify ante-post favouritism in the Lady O Goodwood Cup.

Sir Michael Stoute’s charge was a fine second to Westerner in the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot at York on his last run and is among a field of 10 for the Group Two contest over two miles.

“We were thrilled to bits with his run in the Gold Cup, especially as he had been held up in his preparation with one or two little problems,” said Harry Herbert, racing manager to owners Highclere Thoroughbred Racing, today.

“It was a tremendous training performance by Sir Michael to get him fit enough to run so well at York.

“Distinction has had an uninterrupted preparation for Goodwood and we are hoping that he can land his first Group success. He’s in very good form.

“The big question is the ground. He ran well on good to soft ground in the Melbourne Cup last year, but this looks like being genuine soft ground.

“He is a top of the ground performer and he did fail on soft ground when he was younger. He is an older, more mature and much stronger horse now so he may be able to handle it, but we are going into unchartered territory.”

At the age of eight, Millenary is the oldest horse in the race and John Dunlop’s 2000 St Leger winner has to give weight to all his rivals.

He has yet to score over two miles and Harry Dunlop, assistant to his father, said: “I shouldn’t think he’ll mind the soft ground – he’s won on it before - and we’ll hope for the best.

“He seems in good order and owes us nothing.”

Mark Johnston is hoping Hearthstead Wings, who has not won since landing the Listed Stardom Stakes over the Goodwood mile last September, can restore his tarnished reputation – or he could soon face the unkindest cut of all.

The Middleham handler admitted: “We thought he was a Derby horse and he has disappointed in that respect. Though he is still running in division one, we may find that if he doesn’t do it, he could be a very good gelding!”

Johnston is also represented by Golden Quest and Winged d’Argent.

The former makes a quick return to the course as he bids to follow up Tuesday’s 14-furlong handicap success, while Winged d’Argent is on a retrieving mission having finished last to one of tomorrow’s rivals, Lost Soldier Three, at York earlier this month.

Johnston said: “They are in good form and one could argue that Winged d’Argent is the form horse if he puts in his best.

“Hearthstead Wings and Winged d’Argent will both appreciate the ground, though Golden Quest has a bit to find on the book, but as he showed in that handicap, he liked the ground and he handles the track.”

Nicky Henderson feels that Dancing Bay could benefit from the heavy rain that has softened up the ground.

Runner-up in the Coral Cup at the Cheltenham Festival in March, the eight-year-old has had just two runs since – his last coming on the Flat in the Queen Alexandra Stakes at Royal Ascot at York, where he finished nine lengths behind Cruzspiel.

“The ground is crucial to him,” said Henderson. “The ground was firm there and he likes to get his toe in a bit, so he’s gone there to challenge and he wouldn’t let himself down on it.

“He’s getting on a bit, though he’s still enjoying it – a bit like me!”

Mark Perrett, assistant to his wife Amanda, is keeping his fingers crossed that Tungsten Strike can go one better tomorrow, after having been touched off by Sergeant Cecil in the John Smith’s Northumberland Plate at Newcastle last time.

“We haven’t raced on ground this soft with him,” said Perrett of the four-year-old.

“They have all got to handle it, but all his running has been done on faster ground and he is a good-actioned horse, so it will be an unknown.

“I’ve always thought of him as a Cup horse – probably for next year – but he is an improving horse and now the time is as good as any to find out if he is going to be.”

Lady O Goodwood Cup betting:

Ladbrokes: 9-4 Distinction, 7-2 Lost Soldier Three, 8-1 Shabernak, Dancing Bay, Lochbuie, 10-1 Millenary, 11-1 Winged d’Argent, 12-1 bar.

Totesport: 5-2 Distinction, 9-2 Lost Soldier Three, 7-1 Shabernak, 15-2 Winged D’Argent, 8-1 Dancing Bay, Lochbuie, 9-1 Millenary, 11-1 bar.