Godolphin dominates the entry for today's G2 Bet365 Mile at Sandown with three nominees in a race the operation has, surprisingly, yet to win. Leading the blue charge is 2014 G1 Dewhurst S. hero Belardo (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}), who halted a string of seven straight defeats with victory in the Listed Doncaster Mile on seasonal return at the beginning of this month. Off the board for much of last term, the bay had previously started back in the groove with a third in the Oct. 9 G2 Challenge S. at Newmarket and a second in the Oct. 17 G1 Queen Elizabeth II S. at Ascot.
“I was impressed with Belardo's win at Doncaster and he has trained very well since,” said trainer Roger Varian. “This was the logical next step and I think the round mile at Sandown will suit him well. There is plenty in his favour and we are expecting him to run a big race.”
The team is bolstered by stablemate Barchan (War Front), the likely pacesetter who gets promoted from the handicap ranks, and the Richard Hannon-trained Toormore (Ire) (Arakan), whose 2014 highlights included wins in Goodwood's G2 Lennox S and Veliefendi's G2 International Topkapi Trophy, and a third in October's G1 Prix de la Foret at Longchamp. Cheveley Park Stud's G3 Jersey S. winner Dutch Connection (GB) (Dutch Art {GB}), who ran second in Chantilly's G1 Prix Jean Prat and to Toormore in the Lennox last July, comes back off a close fifth in Keeneland's Oct. 3 Shadwell Turf Mile and rates a danger. Last term's G2 Sandy Lane S. and G2 Hungerford S. victor Adaay (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}) goes beyond seven furlongs for the first time here.
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