Sun-seeking Collins looks to York

Tracey Collins is praying the rain stays away from York ahead of Dandy Man’s bid for glory in the Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes on Thursday week.

The Mozart four-year-old appears not to have enjoyed much luck in recent times.

Seemingly undone by the draw in two consecutive renewals of the King’s Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot, the heavens also opened before the Nunthorpe was run last year.

Dandy Man’s liking for a firm surface is well-documented and Collins says he could bypass the upcoming Knavesmire sprint if conditions are not in his favour.

“What happened last year is now in the past and I prefer to look to the future,” said Collins.

“He’s very well at the moment and with a bit of luck it will keep drying out over there. I was delighted with him at Ascot. He’s a good, honest horse, and he put up another good performance.

“The faster the ground, the better for him, but unfortunately that is taken out of my hands and I can only look after my horse,” she told At The Races.

“If conditions don’t look right for him he won’t go. I’ll only worry about the things that I can affect.”

Dandy Man is the general 11-4 favourite for the Nunthorpe but can be backed at 7-2 with Coral.