Dandino can give Botti second American St Leger win
Published:Trainer Marco Botti won the inaugural running of the American St Leger in 2012 with Jakkalberry and believes he has just the horse to follow up in Dandino. Formerly owned by Elite Racing, the popular six-year-old has finished second in both starts this season.
He finished to Mark Johnston’s Universal first time out and then chased home the ill-fated Thomas Chippendale at Royal Ascot. On both occasions he looked ready to step up in trip and he will have the assistance of Ryan Moore on Saturday.
Michael Bell’s Wigmore Hall has not quite hit form yet this season and it is debatable whether he will be as effective over this trip. A bigger danger may be Dark Cove who has won his last three races in good style.
Jeremy Noseda’s Yeager takes a big step up in class from handicap company when he contests the Grade 1 Secretariat Stakes. The progressive son of Medaglia d’Oro should run a big race along with the French raider Visiyani.
Bookmakers are having a job deciding on favourite for the Beverly D Stakes with Duntle, Dank and Marketing Mix all strongly fancied. Sir Michael Stoute’s Dank has a bit to find with Duntle on Royal Ascot form but has gone on to win well in Ireland since.
Another in contention is the useful Gifted Girl, trained by Paul Cole. She started off her season in handicaps but improved to win a Listed race at Pontefract last time. Gifted Girl was also a little unlucky when finishing strongly to take second to Thistle Bird at Epsom.
The feature race of the evening is the Arlington Million with Noseda’s Grandeur heading the market after a fine run at York behind Mukhadram. He has been drawn on the wide outside in stall 13 which is far from ideal and William Buick will be looking to arrive late on the scene.
Jane Chapple-Hyam’s Mull Of Killough warrants plenty of respect after showing consistent form at Group level but the one to beat could be last year’s winner Little Mike. He made the running that day and held off the late challenge of Afsare to deny a British victory.
Selections: 9.52 Dandino (NAP), 10.23 Yeager, 11.02 Dank, 11.44 Little Mike (nb)
