Dansant on track for Breeders' Cup

Dansant remains on course for the Breeders’ Cup Marathon at Santa Anita - despite his disappointing effort at Newbury.

Gerard Butler’s usually consistent five-year-old could only finish fifth behind Kite Wood in the Geoffrey Freer Stakes.

The Newmarket handler is adamant there were excuses that day, however, and still intends to send Dansant to America in November.

“Making headway three furlongs out, Dansant looked to challenge but could not reach the leaders and finished fifth,” the trainer told his website, www.gerardbutler.co.uk.

“Eddie Ahern blamed the fast ground for his performance at Newbury last time. We were disappointed, but we have the Breeders’ Cup Marathon to look forward to in the autumn.”