Dato Star is back. And his presence in today's £55,000 Grosvenor Casinos Cup Handicap sets a real puzzle on the opening day of Glorious Goodwood. Media attention on Dato Star has sometimes been top-heavy in relation to what he has achieved on the racecourse. But there is no doubt that he is a capable performer, whose full potential may still not be fully realised.
He showed his capabilities when running over hurdles at Haydock in January, producing an impressive display to trounce Collier Bay 20 lengths.
Malcolm Jefferson's six-year-old flopped in the Chester Cup in May, being pulled up, but was found to be suffering from an irregular heartbeat. All is reported well with him now and the possibility remains that he is well-handicapped.
Don't forget that Dato Star finished fourth in the 1997 November Handicap, beaten just two and a quarter lengths behind Clifton Fox. Dato Star runs well when fresh, so his 83-day absence is nothing to worry about and it could be worth stepping in for the best price this morning.
Carmine Lake can stamp her class on the £47,500 King George Grosvenor Casinos Stakes. Peter Chapple-Hyam's filly is a high class performer but has not run that often because of problems with arthritis.
However, she illustrated her capabilities on Arc day at Longchamp last October when landing the Group One Prix de l'Abbaye, one of the toughest sprints of the year. On only her second start of the season, Carmine Lake gutsily edged in front near the finish to beat Pas De Reponse half a length.
After an unsuccessful foray to the Breeders' Cup Sprint, owner Robert Sangster commendably decided to keep Carmine Lake in training and she reappeared in the King's Stand Stakes at Ascot, finishing a respectable ninth of 19.
On her latest start she ran in the Group One Darley July Cup over six furlongs at Newmarket and produced a solid performance, coming home under four lengths sixth of 17 to Elnadim, with her stamina appearing to give out in the closing stages.
A keen sort, Carmine Lake will be happier now she returns to the minimum trip and clearly has the form to win this for Sangster, who is responsible for the race's sponsorship.
Elhida gets the vote in the Grosvenor Casino Hove Maiden Fillies' Stakes. Marcus Tregoning's juvenile made a pleasing debut at Newmarket at the start of the month, leading two furlongs from home and looking to have the race sewn up, only to be caught by Mythical Girl, beaten one and a quarter lengths.
Elhida created the right impression at Newmarket and this offers a good opportunity.
Present Generation was well produced by Rae Guest to win on his Brighton reappearance, making all to beat Barbason three quarters of a length. He can follow up in the Lord George Bentinck Handicap.
At Beverley, Plum First, who has Listed race form over course and distance if you go back to 1997, can spring a surprise in the `Go Racing In Yorkshire' Classified Stakes.
Apprentice Adrian Nicholls celebrated his first ever treble at Yarmouth last night but saw his claim cut to 5lb after the sparkling 883 to 1 three timer. Nicholls completed a near 110 to 1 double for Newmarket trainer Mark Tompkins when guiding 33 to 1 outsider Fadmoor to victory in the Eastern Daily Press Conditions Stakes and 9 to 4 favourite Gypsy home in the following EDP Best For Sport Maiden Auction Stakes.
He then made the third leg of his treble a family affair when he booted home Don Pepe, trained by his father David, in the EDP For Classifieds Handicap.
After dismounting from Don Pepe, Nicholls junior said: "That's my first ever treble and my 18th success of the season and I'm now down to a 5lb claim."
