Godolphin hope for a Dandy show in Temple

May 23 2008 by Chris Wright, Liverpool Daily Post

GODOLPHIN are hoping for a positive performance from another new recruit Dandy Man in tomorrow’s Betfred.com Temple Stakes at Haydock.

And if the Mozart entire can run well on his first appearance in the Godolphin blue since his move from Tracey Collins’s stable last season he will head to Royal Ascot and another crack at the King’s Stand Stakes, in which he has finished fourth and second in the past two season.

Despite running with credit on several occasions, the five-year-old have never won above Group Three level. But he was among the final 14 declared runner’s for Haydock Group Two feature tomorrow. He is favourite with several bookmakers with the 4-1 on offer from William Hill the best around.

Connections are hopeful he can run a big race.

Godolphin’s racing manager, Simon Crisford: “We’re looking forward to seeing him out and it seems a good starting point. Hopefully he’ll go well and then we’ll look towards Royal Ascot.

“I think he was a very decent horse last year and the year before that. He’s had excellent form throughout his whole career.

“We’ll hope he can win a big one but we’ll see how he gets on at the weekend first.”

Dandy Man will face stiff competition tomorrow, though, with three-year-olds Fleeting Spirit and Sir Gerry in the line-up as well as speedy older horses Reverence, Desert Lord and Borderlescott.

Borderlescott scored a first victory over the minimum trip at Musselburgh three weeks ago, beating Desert Lord. But trainer Robin Bastiman is worried about his draw in stall one.

He said: “It’s a poor draw, but he’ll just have to follow the leaders. He won well at Musselburgh and we just thought we’d try him over five furlongs and see how we go, but this is a tough race.”

One horse who won’t line up is impressive recent Newmarket Captain Gerrard, who was taken out at yesterday’s declaration stage due to the prevailing fast ground at the Merseyside track.

Trainer Bryan Smart said he would head to Chantilly for the Group Two Prix de Gros-Chene next weekend.

He said: “The horse is absolutely fine, but the ground at the moment there is good to firm and it’s genuine good to firm as they haven’t had rain for a while.

“There were a lot of other ticks in the wrong boxes as well so have decided instead to go instead to France a week on Sunday.”

HAYDOCK PREDICTIONS (Day Two):

6.20pm Lady Bahia

6.50pm Haven't A Clue

7.20pm Pacific Pride

7.50pm Fantasy Explorer

8.20pm Media Stars

8.50pm Punta Galera

TODAY'S NAP: Holiday Cocktail (6.30pm Pontefract).