Dutch Connection May Be Going To York Rather Than Royal Ascot

Dutch Connection could make his seasonal reappearance in the Listed Best Western Hotels Ganton Stakes at York on Saturday. The Charlie Hills trained five-year-old holds entries in the Queen Anne and the Diamond Jubilee at Royal Ascot but with owners Godolphin having other options for those races, he may turn up on the Knavesmire this weekend.

"Dutch Connection has been absolutely fine," said Hills. "I wanted to run him in the Lockinge but the soft ground was the reason he didn't run in that, He is fit and ready to run and he is a horse we need to get on the racecourse soon. He could make his first start at Royal Ascot but I need to speak to Godolphin as there are other options for him. He's in the Ganton at York on Saturday and he could go there."

Dutch Connection is one of 17 entries in the Listed Ganton Stakes, with Saeed bin Suroor's Arabian Hope another option for Godolphin. Richard Fahey's Forest Ranger and Gabrial, the Ralph Beckett-trained Golden Stunner and the Richard Hannon duo of Kool Kompany and Oh This Is Us feature in a potentially strong field, as do Mondialiste and Custom Cut from David O'Meara's yard.