DODS PROGRESS
Trainer aiming for another fine year
MICHAEL DODS is now in his 30th year with a trainer’s licence – and in that time has built Denton Hall Stables in Co Durham into a major force.
The yard delivers year on year – and Dods’ progress through the ranks has seen him make an impact at the highest level with dual Nunthorpe Stakes heroine Mecca’s Angel, who captured York’s Group 1 sprint in 2015 and 2016, and 2018 Prix de l’abbaye winner Mabs Cross.
QUE AMORO
4bf Es Que Love - Onomatomania Stormed to victory in a York handicap sprint in July, following up at the Ebor fixture the following month, and went under by half a length when upped to Listed company at Ayr in September.
DODS SAYS:
She’s a very fast filly who improved last summer and who is well suited by fast ground and five furlongs.
She’s now rated 98 so the aim will be to get some black type with her and she should be up to winning in
Listed company.
PENDLETON
4bg Garswood - Anglezarke
Enjoyed a productive campaign in 2019 with wins at Newcastle and Ascot, signing off with a second to the progressive Bielsa at Doncaster.
DODS SAYS:
A home-bred of owner David Armstrong’s – he’s named after the village in Lancashire, not the Olympic cyclist – he’s been a slow learner but started to get the hang of things last year and he’s really maturing now.
He’s now rated 91 but might have a bit more to come and will probably be at his best at five furlongs on soft.
TOMBOLO
3bc Le Havre - Sandbar
Made a promising start in a one-mile novice event on soft ground at Haydock Park in September, belying his 16-1 odds with a good second to Romantic Combo.
DODS SAYS:
He’s a nice horse who we had to take our time with, which is why he didn’t run until September last year.
He definitely looks like he will be an improving three-year-old and I think he will be alright on any ground, as long as it’s not too firm.
BRUNCH
3bg Harbour Watch - Granola
Badly in need of the experience when fifth on debut at Doncaster in October, and built on that for taking two-and-a-half-length win at Newcastle the following month.
DODS SAYS:
He ran pretty well first time considering he did so much wrong, but he obviously learned quite a bit from it.
The handicapper has given him a mark of 76 for his Newcastle win, and I’m hoping he improve this year. He would be fine on any ground.
DOUBLE D’S
3bg Archipenko - Florentia Ran twice last autumn, starting with a last of 10 at Ayr in September before running ninth of 13 when a 150-1 shot for a sevenfurlong novice stakes at Newcastle a month later.
DODS SAYS:
He only ran twice at two and didn’t show a lot, but he was a backward horse who had some maturing to do.
He has been gelded and I definitely think he will show he’s an improved horse this year. He will stay well.
ARCH MOON
3bg Sea The Moon - Archduchess Made the frame in each of his three starts (all at one mile) at two after a debut fourth at Ripon in August with second placings at Ayr and York.
DODS SAYS:
He was backward at two, but still went very close at York on his final start, where he was beaten a head. He’s got a mark of 83 but he goes well at home, should stay well and I think he will go on any ground.