Highest Ground can rise to challenge

Highest Ground can maintain his unbeaten record in the rearranged Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Dante Stakes at York tomorrow.

While there may not be any clues for the Derby this year, Thursday’s Group Two still looks like being a thoroughly informative race for the later-maturing colts – among whom Highest Ground fits the bill. He burst on to the scene when winning first time out at Leicester last September, overcoming a slow start to win by nearly three lengths with the minimum of fuss for Sir Michael Stoute.

The Frankel colt was then not seen again until a Haydock novice event at the end of last month, but it was not a run-of-the-mill affair because it contained John Gosden’s Waldkonig.

However, he was no match for Highest Ground who made Waldkonig look decidedly pedestrian – which was no mean feat considering that opponent had chased home stablemate and subsequent French Derby winner Mishriff on his previous outing, coming home just over four lengths adrift.

While Stoute’s colt did not beat him by as far, he could have done if Ryan Moore had wanted. Derby quotes were in the air, but Stoute resisted the temptation to pitch him in at the deep end, and he can be rewarded with a Group Two win. The Tattersalls Musidora Stakes can go the way of Gosden’s Franconia. Not many maidens win Listed races on just their second outing, but she was able to – and she did it in some style at Newbury.

Another by Frankel, she relished the step up to 10 furlongs – having been second on her debut over seven – and while that form might not amount to much, it will be a little disappointing if she is beaten given the impression she left at Newbury. It is slightly disconcerting Frankie Dettori rides the stablemate Ricetta, but jockeys have been known to get it wrong before.

Roger Varian’s Sardinia Sunset showed rapid early speed at Royal Ascot in the Queen Mary, and should find the EBF Marygate Fillies’ Stakes easier. It was to her credit that she clung on for fourth, given her bold effort from the front.

Wes Ward’s Campanelle was a good winner, but if Varian’s filly can reproduce her Ascot effort she will take all the beating.

Mark Johnston’s Maydanny ran much better than his final position suggested at Royal Ascot, and should be backed in the Each Way Extra At Bet365 Handicap at Newmarket.

Eventually seventh in the Silver Royal Hunt Cup, that was just his fourth ever run, so it was something of a culture shock. He ‘won’ the race on his side of the track, and this son of Attraction looks well off the same mark.