Cashmans short on Washington
George Washington has been installed the 4-6 favourite by Cashmans for the Darley Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket tomorrow.
The Cork-based firm have made last month’s National Stakes winner their short-priced market leader, with his stablemate Horatio Nelson on offer at starting price only.
Aidan O’Brien, who trains the high-class duo, is likely to wait until tomorrow before deciding which of the pair will run for the Ballydoyle team in the Group One contest over seven furlongs.
Fast ground will suit George Washington while Horatio Nelson, recent winner of the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere, is know to act with ease underfoot.
The going is currently described as good to soft but no rain is forecast.
Marcus Tregoning, trainer of Sir Percy, the 6-1 second favourite, could have his prayers answered as he does not want any more rain for his colt, who puts his 100 per cent record on the line.
Sir Percy was last seen in public completing a hat-trick in the Group Two Vintage Stakes at Goodwood in July when he defeated subsequent Mill Reef winner Cool Creek.
“He’s in very good form, I just hope we don’t get much more rain,” said Tregoning.
“The ground was soft enough when he won at Goodwood and I don’t think he liked it that much.
“I don’t think anybody wants the ground to be too soft to spoil the championship races.
“He goes there with a reasonable chance but whatever happens on Saturday he’s a very nice horse.
“He’s out of a Blakeney mare so there’s some stamina there which would help him a bit.”
Sylvester Kirk hopes Opera Cape’s fine effort at Longchamp, when he was beaten a length and a half by Horatio Nelson, has not taken its toll.
“It will be interesting to see which one Aidan runs – they would be the biggest dangers, although there’s obviously more good opposition in there than just those two,” said the Hungerford trainer.
“I’m very pleased with our horse and it’s just great to be involved in a race like this.
“My big concern is how much his Longchamp effort took out of him.
“He seems very well and he’s bucking and kicking, but you don’t know if it’s going to be one race too much. We’ve taken everything into consideration.
“They’ve had some rain. I don’t think he necessarily wants soft ground but I think it would help him more than some of the others. He wouldn’t want fast ground, good going would be fine.”
Owners of the unbeaten Primary are hoping he can give trainer David Loder a fairytale end to his career with victory under Frankie Dettori.
“Frankie rode David’s very first winner so it would a fairytale if he could pull it off,” said Harry Herbert, racing manager for owners Highclere Thoroughbred Racing.
“He has ridden for us before but it’s so rare to be able to get him. It’s very appropriate as it may be David’s last runner, it’s certainly his last Group runner, so there’s some nostalgia there as well.”
Herbert admits Primary is being thrown in at the deep end after two wins in less elevated company at Leicester and over Newmarket’s July course last month.
“It’s a shot in the dark but he’s done so well physically since he won at Newmarket last month,” Herbert went on.
“David believes he is a Group horse. We won’t know until tomorrow if he is up to Group One standard yet.
“He’s in especially good form and so relaxed. I went to see him the other evening and he was jumping out of his skin. He looks magnificent and full of the joys of life.
“He’s the most lightly-raced horse in the field so that could count against him but at least he’ll be one of the freshest.
“I don’t think the ground will be a problem for him but he may want further. He’s got the most wonderful pedigree by Giant’s Causeway out of a Mr Prospector mare.”
Kevin Ryan has high hopes of Palace Episode giving him his second taste of Group One glory following Amadeus Wolf’s victory in the Middle Park Stakes two weeks ago.
Palace Episode was far from disgraced when third to Leo in the Royal Lodge Stakes over the Rowley Mile last month after winning his first two starts and Ryan believes the horse can step up on his last performance.
“He’s in great order. He’s just getting better as the year’s gone on. He was a late foal and he’s just coming to himself,” said the Hambleton trainer.
“He’ll go on the ground (good to soft) – he’s a fairly uncomplicated little horse.
“What he wants is a strong pace. He didn’t get that in the Royal Lodge, but they should go a good, even gallop on Saturday.”
Coventry Stakes winner Red Clubs, second behind Amadeus Wolf in both the Gimcrack and Middle Park Stakes, tackles seven furlongs for the first time.
“We are very pleased with him. He ran a good race in the Middle Park on ground that he wasn’t ideally suited by,” said trainer Barry Hills’s son and assistant Charlie.
“We’ve always looked forward to running him over seven and I’m sure he will see the trip out.”
Darley Dewhurst Stakes, Cashmans bet: 4-6 George Washington, 6-1 Sir Percy, 7-1 Opera Cape, 8-1 Primary, 10-1 Red Clubs, 12-1 Close To You, 25-1 Palace Episode, Humungous. Starting price for Horatio Nelson.
