Royal Ascot beckons for Dubai-owned Danadana

Dubai: Danadana, a five-year-old son of Dubawi, marked himself as a horse with a bright future when posting an eye-catching victory in the Group 3 Huxley Stakes at Chester on Thursday.

The 2,000m contest proved a strong reference point for Luca Cumani’s protégé who was returning to action after a nine-month lay-off due to training setback.

But Danadana wasted no time to make a statement for himself, having last year been denied a run in the prestigious Cambridgeshire as a result of a bone injury that ruled him out for the rest of the season.

Bred by Darley, Danadana runs in the colours of Shaikh Mohammad Bin Obaid Al Maktoum, who famously won the Epsom Derby in 1988 with High Rise and the Oaks D’Italia the previous year with Zomaradah.

Kieren Fallon, who won the inaugural running of the Huxley Stakes in 1999 with Chester House, rode a patient race aboard the winner bringing him from a long way off the pace to outclass a strong field.

“He’s improved a lot since last year and he’s done it well,” said the rider. “I didn’t think he’d like the ground, but it’s not as bad as it’s probably going to get — with this rain it will turn to soft pretty soon.

“He’s a grand, big horse and he did nothing only improve last year. Let’s hope it continues.”

Cumani’s son and assistant trainer Matt added: “The ground looks quite loose and we know he doesn’t like soft ground. Going round the first bend he looked like he was going to go out into Chester town, but that made it all the more impressive when he finally let him go.

“He’s a very nice, impressive horse and the whole yard loves him. He’s very well behaved, he’s had his problems, but in terms of training he’s a dream horse.

“Royal Ascot will be the target. Probably the Wolferton Stakes.”

Highland Knight, who attempted to make all under David Probert was passed in the final furlong and had to settle for second, three quarters of a length behind Danadana. Gabrial, ridden by Jamie Spencer for Richard Fahey, was a neck back in third and the Clive Brittain-trained Miblish, racing in the colours of Dubai businessman Saeed Manana, fourth.

Meanwhile, Ruler Of The World emerged as a easy six-length winner to secure the Group 3 Chester Vase, a key trial for the Epsom Derby.

The winner’s odds were cut to 10-1 from 20s for the blue riband, with 2,000 Guineas conqueror Dawn Approach holding steady as the 7-4 favourite.

Moore said: “He did it nicely. The race worked out well for him as he got a nice lead. He’s still a bit green running round here, but once I grabbed hold of him he lengthened really well. He’ll learn a lot. Going round here will have done him good.”