David Menuisier sees Sandown’s bet365 Mile as the perfect stepping stone for his Group One star Tamfana to start her season as she features among a stellar cast on Friday’s card.
The Esher venue has attracted plenty of quality to its first Flat meeting of the year, with the daughter of Soldier Hollow seeking a repeat of the Atalanta Stakes success she registered over track and trip before going on to win the Sun Chariot and place in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes in the autumn.
“She’s in good form, but she’ll need the run a little bit and she carries a penalty,” said Menuisier.
“The others could be in the same shape as us and Roger Teal’s horse (Dancing Gemini) will have a fitness edge, but the rest of them will be a bit like us as we all work the same and you’re working towards a target later in the season.”
The aforementioned Dancing Gemini made a flawless reappearance at Doncaster last month and is the bookmakers’ idea of the winner in a field of eight, which also includes John and Thady Gosden’s Lead Artist and Richard Hannon’s returning Royal Ascot hero Haatem.
The latter runs in the colours of Qatar-based Wathnan Racing who will be well represented in the bet365 Classic Trial by the Gosden-trained Damysus, who caught the eye with a taking display at Southwell on debut.
With retained jockey James Doyle sidelined, William Buick partners both Haatem and Damysus.
Beresford Stakes third Windlord attempts to continue Andrew Balding’s fine start to the new season, with Ralph Beckett double-handed through I Am I Said and Sir Dinadan. Aidan O’Brien’s Swagman (Ryan Moore) completes the field of five.
The Group Three bet365 Gordon Richards Stakes has attracted seven runners, which include Ed Walker’s Alamqam and Karl Burke’s Winter Derby hero Royal Champion.