Art team unfazed by Guineas trip

Peter Chapple-Hyam believes only the mile trip stands in the way of Dutch Art providing him with a second Stan James 2000 Guineas at Newmarket next month.

The bullish Newmarket trainer is positive the distance poses no problems for his unbeaten colt, who looked in fine form during an exercise gallop on this morning.

Dutch Art is 7-1 second favourite with the sponsors behind Teofilo and is already a dual Group One winner having taken the Prix Morny and Middle Park Stakes – although he has yet to run over further than six furlongs.

“I’m very pleased with Dutch Art – I couldn’t be happier. But they are all champions at this time of year,” said Chapple-Hyam.

“I have no doubts about the trip, and if he gets it, he wins. If he doesn’t (get the trip), he doesn’t (win).

“He should get the trip the way he runs his races – he just lobs along.

“I was told when I dropped (2000 Guineas winner in 1992) Rodrigo De Triano back to six furlongs for the Middle Park after winning the Champagne at seven that he wouldn’t be quick enough and after he won, they told me he wouldn’t get a mile!

“We have to try – only time will tell – but he has a good attitude. He’s a natural and does exactly what it says on the tin.”

Chapple-Hyam is mulling over the idea of a prep race for Dutch Art, but added: “I am swaying to ’no’.

“The Greenham Stakes at Newbury would be the race as he would not have to carry a penalty, but the ground can be quite tacky there.

“It all depends on the weather. If it stays fine, he will go straight to the Guineas but if it goes funny and I can’t work him so well, he would go to the Greenham.”

Last season was a gilt-edged one for Chapple-Hyam, who has only been back in Britain for a handful of years after a stint in Hong Kong, as he collected another Group One through Authorized.

The 25-1 winner of the Racing Post Trophy at Newbury last October, he could also be bound for the 2000 Guineas.

“Authorized could run in the Guineas, but he will have a racecourse gallop at the Craven meeting and a decision will be made after that,” added Chapple-Hyam.

“When he first came he was one of my picks. I should have run him in a Leicester maiden rather than the Racing Post Trophy but he worked that well before the race that we decided to run, and it worked.

“If Authorized does not run in the Guineas, he will go for the Dante at York as his main aim is the Derby. He’ll certainly get the trip.

“Jimmy Fortune always rides Authorized. I don’t know about Dutch Art yet – we are waiting on Mr (Frankie) Dettori.”

Chapple-Hyam has several other decent colts in the Classic generation including Hamoody, for whom the Greenham is also on the agenda before a possible run in the French 2000 Guineas.

The Longchamp event is also a possibility for Tariq, not seen since finishing third in the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot.

He is likely to make his seasonal bow in the Sporting Index European Free Handicap at the Newmarket Craven meeting on April 18.