Tuesday, 5 July 2011
York preview
William Haggas hopes Green Destiny can show his true ability in the 52nd John Smith's Cup at York on Saturday.
The progressive four-year-old missed the Royal Hunt Cup in favour of the Wolferton Handicap over 10 furlongs at Royal Ascot, but he never got competitive, finishing seventh behind Beachfire.
"It's a very valuable race so we are hoping to run Green Destiny whatever the ground is. I've always thought he would be a better horse over 10 furlongs - it wasn't the trip that got him beat at Ascot, he just got behind and never got into it," said Haggas.
"He won very well at Newmarket in the spring but he did go up 12lb for that so we'll see - but hopefully he can run well."
Tom Tate trains just down the road from York at Tadcaster, and could launch a three-pronged attack with Distant Memories, Kings Gambit and Prince Of Johanne.
Distant Memories incurred a 5lb penalty for winning a Listed race at Pontefract, which means he will have to carry top weight, while Kings Gambit was narrowly touched off by Wigmore Hall 12 months ago.
Prince Of Johanne has won two of his three starts this season, most recently finishing second in the Zetland Gold Cup.
Tate said: "They would all be likely runners at this stage, but we will make our mind up for definite on Thursday morning. It is a possibility (we'll use a claimer on Distant Memories), but at this stage everything is a possibility as the weather is forecast to change."
Forty-three horses were left in at the five-day stage, with the likes of Nanton, Modun, Pekan Star and Slumber still in the mix.
Victor Chandler have Pekan Star as their 6-1 favourite, closely followed by Slumber at 7-1 and Beachfire at 8s.