Oppenheimer eyeing France not Epsom for leading Dante contender Megallan

Megallan is set to test his Classic credentials in the Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Dante Stakes at York on Thursday but it is France, rather than Epsom, for which he is going on trial, with his owner-breeder Anthony Oppenheimer convinced a mile and a half will be too far for his three-year-old.

By Kingman, the brilliant miler whose offspring include next weekend’s Group 1 Al Shaqab Lockinge Stakes favourite Palace Pier, Megallan has shown a sharp turn of foot in both of his starts this season, most notably when pipped by a short-head over seven furlongs at Lingfield after blowing the start.

Despite Megallan’s speed, Oppenheimer is confident there are enough pointers in his pedigree to think the 1m2½f trip at York is not overstretching his two-time winner, and the possibility of soft going is more of a concern.