Dordogne set to show his true form

The Singspiel colt showed a good level of ability as a juvenile and appeared to have progressed again when making a winning return in the always-informative Feilden Stakes at Newmarket’s Craven meeting.

He was last of nine when sent off favourite for the Classic Trial at Sandown on his latest appearance, but Johnston feels there were viable excuses for that below-par effort.

“The official going was good at Sandown but I would have called it heavy – he had mud up to his mid-cannon bone,” said the Middleham handler.

“He just didn’t handle it at all and I think the best thing to do is just to put a line through it. His win in the Feilden Stakes is a truer reflection of his ability and hopefully he’ll run a good race.”

Johnston has an interesting second string in the shape of Hurricane Higgins, an easy winner on the all-weather at Lingfield in January before finishing second on an artificial surface at Deauville.

Named in honour of Alex Higgins, the former snooker champion who gave his approval to the horse’s name shortly before his death, Johnston added: “He’s a nice horse who has done nothing wrong, although he obviously has a lot to find on the ratings.

“He won very easily at Lingfield and I think he was second to a very good horse in France last time and he ran very green.

“It’s his first start on turf and we’ll just have to see how he handles it. He’s only had two runs in his life.”

David Simcock has a fascinating contender in the shape of Marhaba Malyoon, a winner on debut at Bath in September and the horse to beat today.

The youngster holds an entry in the Derby itself – unlike the two Johnston horses who would have to be supplemented if they prevailed – and Simcock is keen to find out whether he is a possible Epsom candidate.

“It’s a big step up for him but he’s a horse we like a lot and he’s a horse who should stay very well,” said Simcock who has booked St Leger-winning jockey William Buick to ride Marhaba Malyoon.

“He wasn’t entitled to win on his debut but he did and that was over 10 furlongs. He definitely wants further than that really. I just hope the ground isn’t too fast for him at Lingfield.

“The owner is keen to have a runner in the Derby, so hopefully this horse will run a good race.”

n While Michael Bell believes Horseradish deserves to be at the head of the betting for the totesport Victoria Cup at Ascot, in-form Richard Fahey hopes Castles In The Air – a two-time course winner – will prevail.

“He’s been a bit disappointing this season but he does love the track, so we’ll see how he gets on,” said Malton-based Fahey.

Owner Dr Marwan Koukash believes Brae Hill, also trained by Fahey, is the pick of his five runners.

“I fancy Brae Hill the most of mine only because he’s in good form,” he said. “He finished second in the Lincoln and he ran a good race in the Spring Cup. I think the ground will suit him.”

n Nicky Henderson has an enviable hand for today’s Swinton Hurdle at Haydock, with his three contenders headed by the Tony McCoy-ridden Remember Now.

The master of Seven Barrows also saddles last year’s winner Eradicate and smart juvenile Higgy’s Ragazzo.

“Remember Now has done everything right and is progressing the right way,” said Henderson. “He won well at Ayr last time and has gone up in the weights, but hopefully he’ll run another good race.

“Higgy’s Ragazzo won his two races but then probably finished too close to a good horse (Third Intention) at Cheltenham last time, as I think he’s very badly handicapped now.

“He’s rated 136 and I think he’s going to find life impossible off that mark, but we’ll see.

“Eradicate won the race last year and is paying for it now. He has top-weight but he’s in good form.”

n Next week’s Dante meeting at York could be headlined by former champion jockey Ryan Moore and his burgeoning relationship with top Irish trainer Aidan O’Brien.

The pair rounded off a highly successful Chester meeting with St Nicholas Abbey going a long way to restoring his wounded reputation with an electrifying display in the Ormonde Stakes at Chester.

However, 2000 Guineas-winning trainer Henry Cecil has an enviable hand after the latest entry details were confirmed.

His Derby favourite World Domination heads the entries for Thursday’s totesport Dante Stakes – the Queen’s Carlton House, trained by Sir Michael Stoute and the likely mount of Moore, is the obvious threat.

Meanwhile Cecil is planning a two-pronged attack on Thursday’s totesport.com Middleton Stakes.

Midday finished second behind Sariska in the race last year before going on to glory in the Nassau Stakes, Yorkshire Oaks and Prix Vermeille as well as finishing second in the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf.

The five-year-old is set to line up again in the 10-furlong heat with fellow Cecil inmate and Royal Ascot winner Timepiece also due to take her chance.

“Midday and Timepiece may both come out in the Middleton Stakes as a start to a long and hopefully successful season for them both,” added Cecil who could also be represented by Native Ruler in the Emirates Airline Yorkshire Cup on Friday.

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