Elusive Pimpernel can satisfy John Dunlop’s Craven ambition
St Nicholas Abbey may dominate the market for the stanjames.com 2,000 Guineas but definitive evidence of whether he can dominate the Classic itself will not be delivered until the race.
In his stead, Elusive Pimpernel (pictured right) can prove just how much last season’s form bears scrutiny when he runs in the Group Three Racing Post breezeupbonus.com Craven Stakes at Newmarket today.
Elusive Pimpernel had no answer to the speed of St Nicholas Abbey when the pair met in the Racing Post Trophy at Doncaster last October, where Dancing David was two-and-three-quarter lengths further back in fourth. The result was a disappointment to Elusive Pimpernel’s trainer, John Dunlop, who believed that this was the best colt he had trained for several years.
However, the form of his first two races suggests that Dunlop’s initial assessment may not have been over eager. The maiden Elusive Pimpernel won on his debut at Newmarket in July was well advertised by the subsequent form from those who finished behind him. And his victory in the Acomb Stakes, at York the following month, was similarly boosted when the second, Emerald Commander, was runner-up in a Group One race in France, the third, Poet’s Voice, won the Group Two Champagne Stakes at Doncaster and the fifth, Vale Of York, ended the season by winning the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile at Santa Anita.
There are no such form lines to work with for the NGK Spark Plugs Coachmakers Wood Ditton Stakes, as the race is confined to three-year-olds who have never run before. However, Jeremy Noseda is a trainer who has often targeted this race and the booking of Frankie Dettori – who has a 28% strike-rate riding for this trainer – looks significant for the chances of Squall.
The same combination can also win the Group Three Weatherbys Bloodstock Racecard Earl of Sefton Stakes with Sans Frontieres. He was an eye-catching runner-up to Delegator in the Craven Stakes last spring before running third in the Dante Stakes. Injury kept Sans Frontieres off the track for the rest of the season but, with only three career runs, there has to be every reason to expect him to improve on his form thus far and that makes him more appealing than the six-year-old Tranquil Tiger who is likely to have reached the ceiling of his potential.
The Connaught Access Flooring Abernant Stakes may not look the strongest renewal in its history and Equiano would be the pick on his best form. However, that is some time ago and Mullionmileanhour is another lightly-raced type who has the scope to prove himself in this class at least.
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