Balding: Dream can eat up rivals

Andrew Balding believes a drop in class will help Dream Eater renew winning ways when he lines up in the John Bovington Memorial Criterion Stakes at Newmarket.The four-year-old has faced Group One company on his last two starts, finishing fifth to Paco Boy in the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot on his most recent outing.Balding said: "He's in good shape and we are hoping for a big run. Dropping down in grade is more significant that stepping back in trip. He's effective over seven furlongs and a mile so that wouldn't worry me."Balthazaar's Gift has his first run since joining Clive Cox's yard following a stint in Dubai."He's been in fine fettle since he arrived back from Dubai. We're very pleased to have him," said the Lambourn trainer."It's a competitive little heat, one I could see him taking a hand in, all being well. Hopefully he'll give a good account of himself and he has run well over the trip in the past."Richard Hannon is ruing the fact he cannot run Major Cadeaux in this race, but is still expecting a bold show from Vitznau."The Criterion Stakes would have been tailor-made for Major Cadeaux but, unfortunately, his racing days look to be over and we are trying to sort out a deal for him to stand as a stallion," the trainer told www.richardhannonracing.tv."However, Vitznau ran well in the Diomed Stakes at Epsom and, following 10 millimetres of rain there on Thursday, the sting has come out of the ground so he could run well over what is his best trip."