Dynamic Dakota can strike gold at Beverley and repeat last year's win

Dynamic Dakota can strike gold at Beverley and repeat last year’s win…although seven-year-old was well beaten in Nunthorpe Stakes at York, a Beverley Listed event is within grasp

  • Dakota Gold boasts the ammunition to land the Beverley Bullet Stakes 
  • The seven-year-old deserved better in last week’s Nunthorpe Stakes
  • A Beverley Listed event is within his grasp as he looks to repeat last year’s win

The dynamic DAKOTA GOLD (Beverley, 3.15) boasts the ammunition required to land the William Hill Beverley Bullet Stakes and repeat last year’s win in Saturday’s contest.

Although well beaten in last week’s Nunthorpe Stakes at York, the seven-year-old arguably ran better than his finishing position, given he was isolated towards the stands’ side from his high draw as the main protagonists fought out the finish in the centre.

In truth, Group One company is too lofty a level for Dakota Gold but, as was evident from his performance in last season’s renewal of the sprinting feature, a Beverley Listed event is well within his grasp.

Dakota Gold boasts the ammunition to land the William Hill Beverley Bullet Stakes

Positioned in stall eight of nine runners 12 months ago, Michael Dods’ son of Equiano displayed his usual brazen speed from the gates to quickly establish a handy lead before grittily withstanding the late thrust of Late Empire.

That victory instigated a smart run of form for Dakota Gold, who went on to win at York, Nottingham and Doncaster in a golden autumn which reinforced the career statistics that suggest the selection is a better horse from the beginning of August onwards.

A record of 3-14 from April to July is eclipsed by figures of 10 wins in 28 starts from August to November, a ratio which is probably reflective of the ground easing a little as the season heads towards its close.

There is a slight concern that Saturday’s conditions may be a little livelier than ideal for Dakota Gold but he isn’t that ground dependent and I am hopeful he will still go well.

RAVENS ARK (Goodwood, nap, 4.45) wasn’t particularly well positioned given the way the race panned out at Sandown last time and could gain some compensation back at a venue he handles well.

Being held up in the rear in a staying event where the winner was prominent probably meant the Hughie Morrison-trained four-year-old faced a near hopeless task last weekend, but the configuration of Goodwood and the long straight should ensure that isn’t such an issue today. It also may be significant that champion jockey Oisin Murphy is keen to retain the association with the Raven’s Pass gelding.

The decision to equip SCOTTISH SUMMIT (Redcar, nb, 6.10) with first-time cheekpieces on his 42nd career start looks an interesting move by connections, but a return to one of his more favoured venues does look a smart play. With track figures of 324112, the eight-year-old clearly adores Redcar and being reunited with Sam James (on board for four of his five career wins) is certainly no negative either.




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