Godolphin happy with Doyen
Doyen is reported to be nearing his best ahead of his seasonal reappearance in the Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot at York tomorrow.
Godolphin’s flag-bearer ran out an impressive winner of the Group Two contest 12 months ago before going on to a famous victory in the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes.
However, he was beaten on his final two starts of 2004.
“He is coming back after a long time and we have given him an easy time in Dubai and when he got here,” said trainer Saeed Bin Suroor.
“He didn’t show much early on but in the last three or four weeks he has been working very well and has shown his class again.
“It is a tough race but he is in good form and has a lot of class.”
Sir Michael Stoute will be double-handed, fielding both Jockey Club Stakes second Gamut, who was fourth to Doyen in the King George, and Huxley Stakes winner Maraahel.
Mark Johnston’s Bandari will have his first start since finishing fifth in the Coronation Cup when he lines up for the mile-and-a-half contest.
Bandari and Maraahel represent owner Hamdan Al Maktoum.
His racing manager Angus Gold said of Maraahel: “He is stepping back up in trip, but we think he stays – he won over the trip last year.
“I saw him work the other day. Mentally he’s fine and physically I hope so too. We’ll just see if he’s good enough.”
Of Bandari, Gold added: “He always runs his game old race, but I’d be pleasantly surprised if he was good enough to win.”
Powerscourt will represent Aidan O’Brien, with the five-year-old making his British seasonal debut after finishing fifth in the Dubai Sheema Classic in March.
James Eustace’s Orcadian completes the field.
Hardwicke Stakes, William Hill bet: Evens Doyen, 4-1 Gamut, 5-1 Powerscourt, 13-2 Maraahel, 8-1 Bandari, 66-1 Orcadian.
