York Racecourse

Nehaam set for totesport.com Dante

 

JOHN Gosden’s unbeaten Epsom Derby hope Nehaam is on course for the totesport.com Dante Stakes at York on Thursday, May 14.

Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum’s son of Nayef has won both his starts including, the £400,000 Tattersalls Timeform 3-Y-O Trophy at Newmarket last week.

His narrow win over a mile and a quarter – the same distance as the Group 2 £150,000 York showpiece – has earned him a 16-1 quote for the Epsom Derby.

And now connections are keen to step him up to the next level with an assignment on the Knavesmire.

"He’s come out of the race well and we’re pointing at the Dante at this stage," said Gosden.

Angus Gold, racing manager to Sheikh Hamdan, added: "We’ve won a lot of money with him and now it’s time to see if he has the class to be a Derby horse."

"We always thought he had ability, but he can be a bit free, so we were delighted to see him settle and travel so well at Newmarket."

"In fact, he travelled so well, he may have got there a bit too soon, but he ran on nicely, and the pedigree suggests he will stay further."

The totesport.com Dante is the centrepiece of York’s three-day Dante Festival and is renowned for being a top-class assignment for Epsom-bound colts with North Light (2004), Motivator (2005) and Authorized (2007) all landing it in recent years ahead of the world’s most famous Classic.

The festival commences on Wednesday May 13 with the Tattersalls Musidora, a recognised Epsom Oaks trial, and culminates with the Group 2 Emirates Airline Yorkshire Cup on the Friday.

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