Dante rather than Guineas for Highclere star - plus plans for 'high-class' filly

Royal Patronage is expected to bypass the first Classic of the season in favour of the Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Dante Stakes at York in May.

The two-year-old is 25-1 for next month's Qipco 2,000 Guineas but Harry Herbert, chairman and managing director of owners Highclere, confirmed his main target for the season would be the Cazoo Derby.

Royal Patronage stepped into Group company to win the Acomb at York in August and narrowly landed the Group 2 Royal Lodge Stakes before finishing down the field in the Futurity Trophy in October.

Charlie Johnston: Royal Patronage could well become a Derby horse

"He's working very well," said Herbert. "Mark and Charlie Johnston couldn't be any happier. We're very much aiming him towards the Dante, rather than the Guineas as he has a middle-distance pedigree.

"We know he loves York as he won the Acomb, so that's his likely starting point – then we'll have a better idea of where we stand.

"He was our star two-year-old as a dual Group winner and the way he ended his season at Doncaster was very unfortunate. He was struck into from behind and had a nasty gash around his hock.

"Given his breeding and the way he's developed physically from two to three, we'll continue to aim high with him until proven otherwise."

Cachet: will test her Classic credentials in the Nell GwynCredit: Highclere

Herbert also has Classic ambitions for Cachet, who finished third behind unbeaten Qipco 1,000 Guineas favourite Inspiral in the Group 1 Fillies' Mile at Newmarket on her penultimate start.

The daughter of Aclaim then finished fourth in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf at Del Mar, beaten only a length by Pizza Bianca.

"She was a terrific filly for us last year and will go for the Nell Gwyn next month," Herbert said. "George Boughey couldn't be more pleased with her. She looks fantastic and has never run a bad race at Newmarket. How she gets on will help us decide whether to aim her at the 1,000 Guineas.

"She was quite scopey last season but did very well. She nearly won at the Breeders' Cup, which gave everybody a huge thrill. She's a high-class filly who loves her racing and we're excited about her."

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