Godolphin’s Tawhid faces Classic test in Craven Stakes

Dubai: Godolphin’s Tawhid will bid to advertise his Classic credentials when he faces three rivals on his seasonal return in the Group 3 Craven Stakes at the UK’s Newmarket racecourse on Thursday.

With the three-year-old colt of Invincible Spirit holding entries for both the 2,000 Guineas (G1) and Dante Stakes (G2) next month, trainer Saeed Bin Surour will be hoping for a strong performance from his protégé in today’s 1,600m contest — a race the Emirati handler is yet to add to his impressive resume.

Although Tawhid is 9/2 third favourite behind the Richard Hannon-trained Tornado (Evens) and Roger Charlton’s Dundonnell (9/4), his trainer remains confident.

“Tawhid worked really well on Friday and is ready to run. He has wintered well and improved since last year, although he will have to improve again to win a race like this,” he told the Godolphin website.

“His best form has been on soft or heavy ground and I am hoping for some rain ahead of Thursday. A mile is a good trip for him — he won over the distance at Nottingham last year — and he could even step up in distance in the future.”

Silvestre de Sousa takes the ride on Tawhid for a second time, having been aboard when he won his maiden at Nottingham last October.

However, Toronado, who is unbeaten in three starts including the Group 2 Champagne Stakes at Doncaster in September, looks a justifiable favourite.

Writing on his website, four-time British champion trainer Hannon said: “We had an inch of rain last weekend, so we delayed the major dress rehearsals until Monday morning and Toronado moved really well up at Everleigh in his final gallop.

“He is unbeaten and we have always thought the world of him, but he only beat Dundonnell by half a length in the Champagne Stakes at Doncaster in September and is now 3lbs (1.36kg) worse off, so he has to show us that he has improved through the winter. We think he has but we need to see it on the track.”

Richard Hughes, who takes the ride for his father-in-law, told Sky Sports News Radio: “I’d be very surprised if Dundonnell beat me. I think my lad has improved.

“I couldn’t ride the race I wanted at Doncaster. Everyone said I had an easy lead but actually he wants a true-run race and on that occasion it wasn’t, but he managed to win anyway.”

Hannon also saddles Havana Gold, a Group Three winner last season who races in the colours of Qatar Racing Ltd.

The trainer said: “Havana Gold may not have attracted the same publicity as Toronado, but he is a decent horse in his own right.

“He is only rated 4lbs inferior anyway, and he won the Tattersalls Somerville Stakes at Newmarket last year and then ran Ghurair to a head in the big Sales race up there, and that is solid form.”

Dundonnell is an interesting campaigner. A smart winner of the Group 3 Acomb Stakes — an early pointer to Classic potential — he ran out of his skin to finish a close-up fourth to Aidan O’Brien’s George Vancouver in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (G1) last November.

Thursday’s card also features the Group 3 Abernant Stakes over six furlongs, which has attracted last year’s Champion Sprint Stakes (G1) runner-up Hawkeyethenoo.

The other race is the Earl of Sefton Stakes, whose field of six includes 2012 Epsom Derby sixth Bonfire.

In addition the action includes the Tattersalls Millions 3-Y-O Trophy.