Can Too Darn Hot hold off three darn good Dewhurst challengers?
Published:
Preview of the main contenders on Saturday
Excitement is building ahead of Saturday’s Dewhurst Stakes, with seven of next year’s Classic generation set to go to post at Newmarket. Too Darn Hot, Sangarius, Anthony Van Dyck and Advertise are the fantastic four at the top of the market.
But who will come out on top? The Coral News Team have previewed each member of the quartet’s chances over the 7f distance.
John Gosden’s charge is one of two unbeaten horses in the race after recording two victories at Doncaster and one at Sandown. The colt has improved each time and showed tactical versatility when claiming the Champagne Stakes from Phoenix of Spain last time.
This is another step up for the Dubawi colt, but his turn of pace and ability to quicken marks him out as the one to beat in Group 1 company for the first time. Jockey and trainer have both yet to taste Dewhurst success.
Triumphed in decisive fashion in a Listed contest at Doncaster last month to make it two wins from two following success on debut at Newmarket. Still looked a little rough around the edges in Yorkshire and must produce a more polished performance up in class here.
The Kingman colt has shown that he can handle both good-to-firm and good-to-soft ground, although tread underfoot shouldn’t be a problem this weekend. If he can produce anything like the sire’s first Group 1 winner Calyx did at Royal Ascot in the summer, he should go close.
After Ten Sovereigns was pulled, Anthony Van Dyck is Aidan O’Brien’s best hope of landing the Dewhurst for the fourth year in a row and the seventh time overall. He tops the favourite on the ratings and his close-second behind Quorto in the National Stakes at the Curragh marks him out as a leading contender.
He was beaten by a good turn of foot that day, which could be a concern here. But the trainer has a terrific record in this race – and that cannot be taken lightly.
Martyn Meade’s exciting two-year-old has won three of his four starts and beat subsequent Cheveley Park-third So Perfect when landing the Group 1 Phoenix Stakes in August. That’s a nice piece of form to take into the race.
So too is his runner-up berth behind the highly-impressive Calyx at Royal Ascot, who looks a serious Classic contender next year. Appears to be going from strength to strength and cannot be ruled out if he can handle the step up to 7f at the first time of asking. Man of the moment Oisin Murphy is booked to ride.
For more Horse Racing odds click here.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing
