Nanton double bid unlikely

Jim Goldie admits it is unlikely that he will ask his stable star Nanton to take in both legs of the Autumn Double.

The consistent seven-year-old was second in the nine-furlong totesport.com Cambridgeshire 12 months ago but his last victory came over one mile and six furlongs at Doncaster, sparking rumours he would take up his entry in the Cesarewitch.

However, Goldie is not keen to ask too much of his charge who is now residing on a career-high mark of 105.

"Nanton is fine, he's just at the wrong end of the handicap - he was at the right end last year - but he's in great order at present," said Goldie.

"At the moment, I would say he would not run in the Cesarewitch as well but if he won the Cambridgeshire we might be tempted to try it.

"I would think there haven't been too many horses that have tried the Autumn Double since it was last won (Plaisanterie 1885).

"He definitely gets a mile and three quarters but we will worry about Saturday's race first, see how he comes out of it and then make our plans from there.

"He has the speed to have finished fourth in the Royal Hunt Cup and second in the Zetland Gold Cup this season, so he has run well from a mile to a mile and six furlongs.

"The faster the better for him on Saturday. They don't water too much this time of year - the temperatures don't get high enough - so that shouldn't be a problem."