Expert analysis as Sangarius out and Dettori has first Godolphin ride since 2012

Betway Paradise Stakes (Listed) | 1m | 3yo+ | ITV4 / RTV

The warm favourite Sangarius was withdrawn on Friday morning to leave 11 runners, eight of whom are rated within 5lb of each other.

Arguably the most interesting is the once-raced Lord Tennyson, who would probably get a rating of no more than 90 for his Chelmsford win in February but risks blowing any chance of a generous rating by running against horses with Group form.

That's not normally something that worries John Gosden when he has a good performer, so it could be a tip in itself for Lord Tennyson, whose only career is going to be on the track as he was gelded last year.

Momkin (maroon silks) chases home Skardu in the Craven Stakes at Newmarket last AprilCredit: Edward Whitaker

Of the others, Momkin was an unlucky runner-up in the Craven Stakes on his return last term but made misfortune a habit afterwards, while Century Dream, Group 1-placed at his best, has had wind surgery since a disappointing end to his last campaign.

Bless Him, Escobar and Vale Of Kent are all handicappers moving up in class after a fine 2019.
Analysis by Paul Kealy

Dettori back in blue

It was for many years one of the most successful owner/jockey partnerships in racing but the formal relationship between Frankie Dettori and Godolphin came to an end in 2012.

His last winner in the famous royal blue silks was Shuruq at Kempton on October 17, 2012, while his last ride was aboard Cavalryman in the Melbourne Cup the following month

Since then first Al Shaqab and more recently John Gosden have been the mainstays of the irrepressable Italian's career, and it is the ever-closer ties between Gosden and Godolphin that have made it a matter of when, not if, Dettori pulled on those silks once more.

Lord Tennyson marks that moment and, while it is for the most part symbolic – Dettori has ridden in other colours connected to the Al Maktoum family in the interim – for many racing fans it a sight will bring back a host of memories.

What the trainers say

David Simcock, trainer of Bless Him
Generally he needs his first run. He’s training very well but he's our first runner of the year on turf and I can’t believe he won’t need it to an extent. I’ve no problem with him stepping up in grade but he might be better on his second or third start.

Simon Crisford, co-trainer of Century Dream
Century Dream is in great form and we need some more rain for him.

Owen Burrows, trainer of Dawaam
He's always been a horse we've liked and his work has been very pleasing. We'll learn a lot more here and see if this is quite his trip. He's bred to get a bit further but we thought we'd start at a mile and see where we are.

David O'Meara, trainer of Escobar
He finished off last year winning the Balmoral at Ascot and he's hugely talented but sometimes he takes a few runs to get going. He seems in great form and looks nowadays like he goes on any ground. I did think that he was ground dependent and liked it quick but he won the Balmoral on very soft.

John Gosden, trainer of Lord Tennyson
He won well on his debut on the all-weather but I couldn't find anywhere else to run him. He may be a bit short on experience but has pleased at home.
Reporting by Scott Burton

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