WOOTTON BASSETT remains on course for a fascinating clash with Frankel in the St James's Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot on Tuesday.
Richard Fahey's colt was a slightly disappointing fifth in last month's French 2000 Guineas following an unbeaten juvenile campaign, but pulled far too hard for much of the race.
You have to admire connections for taking on Henry Cecil's superstar but where else could they go?
Part-owner Frank Brady said yesterday: "It's going to be tough to beat Frankel, but stranger things have happened. He could go for the Prix Jean Prat in France (Chantilly, July 3) if all goes well. There aren't that many races he can run in."
The French contest is the other option for Dream Ahead should he bypass a clash with Frankel.
David Simcock is keen to give the colt, who was rated jt champion two-year-old along with Frankel, a belated seasonal debut. He pulled his stable star out of both English and Irish 2000 Guineas because of fast ground and is praying for some ease in the going.
Luca Cumani's beautifully bred filly KITTY WELLS (3.20) looks a decent bet at Haydock this afternoon. She was brought along patiently before bolting up on her handicap debut over a mile and a half at Kempton in December She reappeared at Haydock last month and looked an unlucky loser under Kirsty Milczarek.
Twice she was denied a clear run in the straight and would surely have reeled in Plaisterer with a fair passage. A sister to St Leger winner Milan, she has loads of stamina, something Mr Fallon will hopefully put to good use.
At Hamilton tonight, Dandy Nicholls can take the feature sprint with KARAKA JACK (7.30). The son of Pivotal was formerly with Mark Johnston and has not won since October, 2009. But if anyone can get a tune out of a sprinter, the Dandy Man can.
Nicholls should also be on the mark with veteran FREMEN (8.00).
Carol Bartley can steer in-form Jim Goldie's NORTH CENTRAL (6.00) to victory in the opener and husband Gary can follow suit on BLUE CHARM (9.00) in the last.
