Wathnan runner drops from Group 1 to 6f handicap - analysis and key trainer quotes for £50,000 contest

The lack of a recent run has been no barrier to success in this, with nine of the last ten winners making their seasonal returns, and Defence Minister, who hasn’t been seen since losing his unbeaten record in the Middle Park Stakes, looks like a top prospect for this campaign.

This Wathnan Racing-owned colt failed to beat a rival in that course-and-distance Group 1, racing too keenly early, and, perhaps more significantly, he was encountering soft ground for the first time.

Given that he’s by Too Darn Hot out of a Mastercraftsman mare, a quicker surface may be key, but a mark of 94 looks workable. There should be plenty more to come as the season progresses, given that he was a late foal.

An overly strong gallop helped The Dragon King record a dramatic success in a sales race over course and distance in October. That was impressive to the eye but, in reality, his rivals had overcooked the early fractions. Another career best is called for from his revised mark.

Charlie Appleby won this with subsequent Group 1 winner Creative Force in 2019, and four-race maiden Al Misbar, a half-brother to Battaash, bids to give him another success.

Al Misbar’s pedigree is all speed, but he was staying on over seven furlongs on soft ground here last season. He had entries for two seven-furlong races later this week, too. His future probably lies over further.
Analysis by Phill Anderson

What they say

Richard Brown, racing manager to Wathnan Racing, owners of Defence Minister
The ground went against him in the Middle Park, and I've got a feeling the ground is going to go against him again, unfortunately. It dries pretty quickly at Newmarket, but he'd be much better on a quick surface than a slow one.

The Dragon King (right): one of two runners for Clive CoxCredit: Steve Davies

Clive Cox, trainer of The Dragon King and Diligently
The Dragon King had a really successful two-year-old season last year, winning three times, including the big sales race at Newmarket on his final run. He grew a little bit over the winter and we're pleased with what we're seeing. Diligently was very impressive in winning the sales race at York last year over six furlongs. He was a big price, but you had to ignore his previous run at Sandown, as I was running him over five furlongs to get his brain in gear, but then he got absolutely murdered on the rail. He's done very well over the winter, getting a lot stronger, and I hope he can continue how he finished off last term.

Ralph Beckett, trainer of Belgrave
He will need it, but he will appreciate any rain that comes.
Reporting by Charlie Huggins

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