FAST CONNECTION
tHere is no Holland team at the World Cup but it is time to go Dutch at Haydock this afternoon. Charlie Hills-trained DUTCH
CONNECTION (Haydock, nb, 4.00) tackles the Group three Betway John of Gaunt Stakes at the Merseyside track and it looks the perfect race for him.
the Godolphin-owned sixyearold is a bit of a nearly horse in that he has contested some of the best mile races around the globe and invariably run well without winning. that includes finishing fourth to rhododendron in the Lockinge Stakes at Newbury last month.
But at today’s distance of seven furlongs, Dutch Connection is a different proposition for Hills (right). He has had nine races at the distance and won five of them. the fast ground is also in the selection’s favour and a nagging doubt hanging over what looks to be his main rival emmaus.
the roger Varian-trained colt has only managed four career starts.
He clearly has talent and beat Donjuan triumphant back at the Midlands track in the Listed King richard III Stakes in april.
But that was on heavy ground and all his three wins have been on ground with give in it. this is his stiffest test yet on ground on which he is unproven. there is an interesting seasonal debutante in AIM OF ARTEMIS (Newmarket, 4.15). Choicely-bred and Groupone race entered, she cost Godolphin £1million when bought at the Ballymacoll Stud dispersal sale last year. a Leicester maiden winner, she has moved from the stable of Sir Michael Stoute and joined John Gosden. Best bet of the day is richard Hannon’s WEDDING DATE (Beverley, nap, 3.15). She was not disgraced when fifth to useful Vintage Brut in the National Stakes at Sandown. She is back against her own sex and reasonably drawn in the Hilary Needler Stakes.