Analysis and trainer quotes for a star-studded contest which 'looks more like a Group 1 than a Group 2'

We often catch a glimpse of the season’s leading miler in this Group 2. Palace Pier was an obvious one four years ago, although few would have predicted 2024 winner Charyn’s ascent to the top. 

The emergence of another Charyn-like surprise package cannot be ruled out. Six of the eight runners are four-year-olds, as Charyn was a year ago, and Dancing Gemini is doing his level best to mimic Roger Varian's grey. 

Charyn failed to register a single victory in a three-year-old campaign packed with nearly performances at the highest level. Dancing Gemini did likewise, but everything changed in the Doncaster Mile.

The son of Camelot, a non-stayer in the Derby and Eclipse at three, followed in Charyn’s footsteps by bossing that Town Moor race a month ago, clocking a time two seconds faster than the Lincoln winner on the same card with a rampant display. 

Given the Lincoln was dominated by hold-up horses, Dancing Gemini’s blistering turn of foot from a midfield position points towards the brightest of futures.

Race-fitness is always a pivotal factor at this time of year, and Dancing Gemini faces mostly reappearing opponents. The exception is Alcantor, who is closely matched with Dancing Gemini on their meeting in the Poule d’Essai des Poulains last term.

Alcantor made all in the Prix Edmond Blanc last month and is another runner in Britain for Andre Fabre, whose Abernant Stakes winner Sajir at Newmarket last week became his first in Britain since July 2020. 

The concern is whether Alcantor is most potent on deeper ground given his struggles on a sound surface in the 2024 Craven.

The readiness of Haatem, Lead Artist and Tamfana needs to be taken on trust, although any of these horses have claims on their three-year-old form.

Haatem almost won the Irish 2,000 Guineas, Tamfana, who carries a penalty here, plundered the Sun Chariot and Lead Artist is the Racing Post Ratings standard-setter by dint of his Darley Stakes strike over Liberty Lane. That is serious depth for an important race with the next six months in mind.
Analysis by Robbie Wilders

Teal: the first part of our plan to emulate Charyn worked

Roger Teal is on a fact-finding mission with Dancing Gemini, who steps back up in grade following an emphatic seasonal reappearance in the Doncaster Mile last month.

The four-year-old was a Group 1 regular last season and his performance in this Group 2 will determine whether he attempts to emulate Charyn by running in the Lockinge.

Dancing Gemini: hugely impressive at DoncasterCredit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

"It's another step up in grade in a decent race, but he deserves to be in this sort of company," said Teal. "He's come out of Doncaster nicely and the first part of our plan to emulate Charyn worked, so we thought we'd carry on and see what happens. You need a little bit of luck on the day and this looks more like a Group 1 than a Group 2.  

"If he were to do well we'd look at the Lockinge or the Prix d'Ispahan, but this will point us in the right direction. We ended last season on a high knowing we had a nice horse to go to war with. He's matured since then. He's filled out his frame and has retained that wonderful turn of foot."

What they say

David Menuisier, trainer of Tamfana
She'll probably need the run and improve for it, but she's so tough and always does her best. She's a lot bigger than last year so carrying the 5lb penalty won't make her life easier, but we have to start somewhere. The plan is to run in the Lockinge, but she's also entered in the Prix d'Ispahan in case we want to go up an extra furlong.

Andre Fabre, trainer of Alcantor
It's more fun to try to beat some better horses [as opposed to running in the Group 2 Prix du Muguet]. He'll enjoy the bigger field.

Richard Brown, racing manager to Wathnan Racing, owners of Haatem
We're really excited to get him back on track. He gave us a great day at Royal Ascot before missing the rest of the season. He's been off for a long time so may have a bit of ring-rust, but Richard Hannon says he's in good shape. It looks like a hot race, but this is just about getting his season started.

Thady Gosden, joint-trainer of Lead Artist
It's an unusually competitive running. Lead Artist won the Darley Stakes well over nine furlongs last year before running a great race to be second in the Bahrain International. He's had a good winter and a mile at Sandown looks a good place to start. He goes best on quick ground so hopefully it dries out a little.
Reporting by Jonathan Harding

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