Magisterial ready to exert authority
MAGISTERIAL can give John and Thady Gosden something to smile about by wining the Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Dante Stakes at York today.
The Clarehaven Stables team has suffered a couple of disappointments in recent weeks, with winter favourite Inspiral being forced to miss the 1000 Guineas and Reach For The Moon ruled out of the Derby.
The horses are running well, though, and a patient approach can pay dividends for the Gosdens as they saddle Magisterial in what is undoubtedly the strongest UK trial for the blue riband event.
Fourth on his debut at Newmarket in September, his owner Bjorn Nielsen stepped up to the plate by giving his friend Oisin Murphy a valuable success in his quest to be champion when winning a Haydock maiden in October.
It always takes an above-average sort to defy a penalty in novice company, but Magisterial did it with a bit to spare on his return at Leicester last month, coming home a length and a half clear of the heavily-backed Charlie Appleby-trained debutant Ruling Dynasty, who is entered at Royal Ascot.
Frankie Dettori made all at the Midlands venue, which is always dangerous for his opponents, but Magisterial never looked in any danger and the Frankel colt is well worth a shot at this level to see if he can book his place at Epsom. The step back up to 10 furlongs will see Lilac Road in a better light in the Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Middleton Fillies’ Stakes.
The William Haggas-trained filly was very consistent last season, apart from a blip on the all-weather at Newcastle.
She rounded off her season with a win in a Listed race at Salisbury over 10 furlongs, so it was not the greatest surprise when she was a bit tapped for speed first time out in the Dahlia Stakes over nine furlongs.
Given every chance at Newmarket behind Dreamloper, she just faded close home as if in need of the run and with that behind her, she is expected to go close.
Mountain Peak thrives when the ground is quick so has conditions in his favour in the Paddy Power ‘Making Flat Less Flat’ Handicap.
He may be seven now but showed he has lost none of his dash when a 25-1 second at Newbury on his seasonal bow.
Given he has never won first time out before, that was a really promising reappearance and he can be expected to come forward from it.
There are some real York specialists up against him, none more so than Copper Knight, but a mark of 104 is surely too steep for Tim Easterby’s charge.
Easterby might have better luck, however, in the Paddy Power Hambleton Stakes with Cruyff Turn.