JOHN DUNLOP could land his 250th winner at Newmarket this weekend and thinks Swingkeel has a good chance of helping him in Saturday’s totesport.com Cesarewitch.
The Arundel trainer secured his first victory at Headquarters in 1966 when Tamino won the Palace House Stakes. It was also his first success as a trainer.
Dunlop has won the 1,000 Guineas on the Rowley Mile track and also won the Cesarewitch with Mountain Lodge in 1982
And he thinks his four-year-old Swingkeel, who is a best-priced 10-1 chance with most bookmakers, has a big chance of giving him a second success in the prestigious 2m2f handicap.
Dunlop said: “He is very consistent. We wanted to give him a run before this race so we ran him in the two-mile Listed race at Ascot last month,” said Dunlop.
“Ryan Moore had never ridden him before but Swingkeel still ran a good race to finish a close third. Jimmy Fortune will be back on board on Saturday.
“I think he’ll be suited by the race as he switches off well and goes on the ground. We’ll just be hoping for a bit of luck.”
Dunlop is also hopeful of a big run from six-time winner Akmal in the Jockey Club Cup on Saturday’s card at a venue which has brough him so much success.
He added: “Newmarket has been lucky for me. It is always a highlight to win a Classic so our three wins in the 1000 Guineas are very special to me. Habibti’s win in the July Cup was a huge joy as she was only a three-year-old and we were dropping her back in trip after she hadn’t stayed in the Guineas. She then went on to win the Nunthorpe and the Abbaye and was a great horse.”
Meanwhile, Twice Over run Saturday’s Emirates Airline Champion Stakes at Newmarket.
The Khalid Abdulla-owned four-year-old colt was runner-up to New Approach 12 months ago and has yet to win at Group One level.
But Henry Cecil’s colt, who is a best-priced 10-1 chance with most firms, comes into the race on the back of twoeasy wins in lesser company at Doncaster and Goodwood last month.
Cecil is hopeful of another big run from Twice Over on Saturday. He said: “We have decided to have a crack at the Champion as the horse seems very well. He does go a bit better with cut in the ground but I hope he can still go well.”
Kieren Fallon is also hopeful Sariska can run well on his first run against the colts in the Champion Stakes, as long as the ground is not too quick.
Fallon said: “It’s always difficult for the fillies when they are taking on the colts, but she is exceptional. Ouija Board was able to do it and I can’t see why this filly shouldn’t be able to either, as long as she gets her ground of course.”
TODAY’S NAP: Master Of Song (2.10pm Nottingham).
