DOUBLE HANDFUL

ALL eyes will be on the unbeaten TOO DARN HOT when he makes his Group 1 debut in today’s Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket. John Gosden’s stable star is already favourite for both next season’s 2,000 Guineas and Derby, so I have absolutely no truck in taking a price around the even-money mark for him to finish ahead of the opposition this afternoon.

Too Darn Hot’s brother sold for 3.5million guineas at the Tattersalls sales this week so there’s no doubting the superstar colt’s pedigree.

On all known form only three of today’s six rivals can feasibly get the better of Too Darn Hot, but I don’t think any of them will be able to live with him. I’ve been told I’m also very difficult to live with.

The trio of potential payout blockers are Sangarius, Anthony Van Dyck and Advertise.

Sir Michael Stoute’s Sangarius has done nothing wrong, easing to victory in a Listed contest at Doncaster last time out.

Anthony Van Dyck, winner of the Futurity Stakes, is one of three runners in the race trained by Aidan O’brien.

The master of Ballydoyle has won the last three renewals of the Dewhurst (and six times in total) so it goes without saying whatever he sends here is worthy of scrutiny — before being dismissed as having no chance.

Advertise is another one to respect having won three of his four races to date.

He was also a decent second to Calyx in the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot, although he’s only ever run over six furlongs.

What has impressed me most about Too Darn Hot is his turbo-charged acceleration.

Of course, there will be those who say the undulating surface at Newmarket may cause him to come a cropper, but he didn’t seem to be stopping at Doncaster and I’ll be mighty surprised if he’s beaten.