Mandaean all set to hit Derby trail at York

Dubai: Mandaean, Godolphin's principal Epsom Derby (G1) hopeful, makes his British debut for trainer Mahmoud Al Zarouni in the Group Two Dante Stakes at York next week.

The ex-French colt is the ante-post favourite for Thursday's race, which is a highly-regarded trial for the Epsom showpiece in three weeks.

Madaean is a progressive German-bred three-year-old who caught the eye when trouncing his rivals in the Prix De Velleville at Longchamp, France last October when previously trained by Andre Fabre.

He has reportedly thrived since transferring to Al Zarouni's Moulton Paddocks training base in Newmarket and showed his well-being with a solid piece of work last week.

With big-race jockey Frankie Dettori in the saddle, the son of Darley's Manduro — a former French champion — pleased his connections when he outshone two companions.

Mandaean needed the gallop and will be aimed at the Dante at York. If he proves good enough there, then the plan is to go for the Derby," said Al Zarouni after the gallop.

Mandaean also won the Group One Criterium de Saint-Cloud in France.

Meanwhile, Ektihaam, who missed Chester's May Meeting, has also been confirmed for the Dante.

Roger Varian's colt won two of his three starts during his juvenile season but disappointed when last of nine in the Group One Dubai Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket on his last start in 2011.

Made amends

He subsequently made amends on his reappearance in a ten furlong conditions event at Newbury last month where he handed Sir Henry Cecil's high-regarded Wrotham Heath a five lengths drubbing.

The manner of that victory over a testing mile and two furlongs has given in to the belief that he can get further with scope for even more improvement.

Owned by Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance, the son of Invinciple Spirit also holds entries for the Abu Dhabi Irish 2,000 Guineas (Group 1), King Edward VII Stakes (Group 2) at Ascot and the Coral-Eclipse Stakes at Sandown later in the season.

Meanwhile, Akeed Mofeed, once prominent in the Derby markets will miss the blue riband event after being dealt a setback.

The John Oxx-trained three-year-old was due to run in the Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial Stakes at Leopardstown tomorrow, but has suffered a strained hock.

Akeed Mofeed, who is owned by Dubai businessman Jaber Abdullah, will instead be prepared for the Irish 2,000 Guineas in two weeks' time followed by the Irish Derby at the Curragh.

"He's got a problem with his hock," said Bruce Raymond, racing manager to Abdullah.

"It's not much of a problem but he couldn't medicate it because it's so close to the race.

"John [Oxx] said he'd rather not go for the Derrinstown, and he's not going to go for the Derby at Epsom without a prep race.

"His new programme will be the Irish Guineas and Irish Derby."

Dante Stakes (G2)

(May 17, York)

Bonfire (6/4), Mandaean (37/13), Noble Mission (41/10), Fencing (21/5), Wrote (7), Ernest Hemingway (9), Ektihaam (20), Wrotham Heath (35), Crius (54), Dream Tune (59), Ptolemaic (59), Miblish (84).

The Derby (G1)

(June 2, Epsom)

Camelot (5/4), Bonfire (12), Akeed Mofeed (16), Light Heavy (16), Mandaean (16), Imperial Monarch (20), Parish Hall (20), Ernest Hemingway (25), Kesampour (25), Noble Mission (25), Apollo (33), Assizes (33), Daddy Long Legs (33), Ektihaam (33), Encke (33), Lunayir (33), Mariners Cross (33), Michelangelo (33), Mickdaam (33), Rougemont (33) - Others 33 or more

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