Dansant geared up for Freer duty

Gerard Butler is looking forward to running stable star Dansant in the CGA Geoffrey Freer Stakes at Newbury this weekend - ahead of a planned trip to America later in the campaign.After striking in Listed company at Kempton on his penultimate start, the son of Dansili put up a fine performance to finish third in the Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot.Butler told At The Races: "We're aiming for the Geoffrey Free on Saturday for Dansant. We entered him at Leopardstown as well but that was only a Plan B if the ground at Newbury wasn't suitable for him."He added: "If things work out on Saturday we have the option of the Irish St Leger but everything will point towards the Breeders' Cup Marathon at Santa Anita at the end of October."He was finishing well at Ascot where he came from a long way back. He was finishing more than just staying on. Bronze Cannon and Campanologist got the run on us but I wouldn't be bothered about taking those guys on again."He's in very good form and I'm very much looking forward to Saturday with him."Tom Tate expects Kings Gambit to take in his stride the discernible step up in trip. The South African import arrives at Newbury suitably buoyed by a most impressive British debut at York last month. The five-year-old finished third behind Kirklees in the York Stakes over 10 and a half furlongs.Tate said: "He's a very interesting horse and we're still getting to the bottom of him. He ran right up to his best form at York and he'll definitely get a mile and a half as he won the Derby in South Africa. He'll go on most ground, I think, so it will be interesting to see how he goes."A total of 16 horses have been left in the valuable contest at the confirmation stage with Godolphin looking to hold a strong hand with Goodwood Cup winner Schiaparelli, Bahrain Trophy hero Kite Wood as well as Age Of Reason.Gary Moore's Mourilyan is another interesting contender, as are All The Aces, Halicarnassus and Mark Johnston's pair Drill Sergeant and Record Breaker.