Johnston considers Dante test for Derby contender

The Mark Johnston-trained colt is unbeaten in three starts to date, the latest coming in the Qatar Racing Newmarket Stakes last Saturday.

Windhoek is not a certain runner on Knavesmire as the main objective is the premier Classic at Epsom on June 1 for which he would have to be supplemented.

The son of Cape Cross has already won £136,000 for owner Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, son of Sheikh Mohammed.

“He is absolutely fine. We will certainly have a look at the Dante, but the main thing is that he is aiming for the Derby,” said Johnston. “He has been a great horse already. He has to be supplemented for Epsom, but the supplementary thing is not an issue.

“Obviously they would have a great number of horses at the beginning and it makes a lot more sense to supplement one or two rather than just to enter all those horses.”

There are more potential Classic clues on offer on the Roodee today, with Johnston responsible for Mister Impatience in the MBNA Chester Vase.

The Hernando colt was sent off favourite for the Derby Trial at Epsom but was only fourth, and Johnston said: “We hope he didn’t run to form at Epsom. It’s hard to say if that was his form or not, but my impression was that he didn’t come down the hill well.

“Chester is not an easy track either but I think he will handle that a lot better. I will be hoping for some rain.”

Malton handler Richard Fahey lifted the Vase 12 months ago with Mickdaam and he saddles Gabrial’s Kaka this time round.

The gelding won both his starts last term and was not disgraced when a place ahead of Mister Impatience at Epsom on his reappearance.

“He’s got to find more on what he’s done so far, but the owner is very keen to have runners at Chester,” said Fahey.

Fahey has high hopes for Doncaster Mile winner Gabrial, who takes in the Stella Artois Huxley Stakes. “He’s got to step up again on what he did at Doncaster, but he’s in good order and we’ll see what happens.”

Mike de Kock’s trio of Shea Shea, Soft Falling Rain and Kavanagh are among 61 entries for the Darley July Cup at Newmarket. All three were successful in Dubai in March with Shea Shea winning the Al Quoz Sprint, Soft Falling Rain taking three races including the Godolphin Mile and Kavanagh, who was sixth in the Golden Shaheen after scoring at Meydan four weeks earlier.