Classic Target For Dutch Master

Dutch Art is a 7-1 chance with the sponsors for next year's Stan James 2000 Guineas after destroying a competitive field in the Shadwell Middle Park Stakes at Newmarket.

Peter Chapple-Hyam's colt is unbeaten in four races following his classy two-length defeat of Wi Dud, which came hot on the heels of his Prix Morny win last month.

He faced just five rivals and, despite drifting in the preliminaries, was still sent off the heavily-backed 6-5 favourite.

Frankie Dettori's mount bounced out of the stalls and pulled hard through the early stages as he jostled for the lead with Brave Tin Soldier and Captain Marvelous.

But once the Italian asked the Paul and Susan Roy-owned Dutch Art to quicken the response was immediate and the juvenile powered clear with an electric turn of foot to score with ease.

Chapple-Hyam confirmed the colts' Classic will be Dutch Art's main target, saying: 'He got six furlongs well on soft ground here and he will get a mile no problem next season.

'The Guineas will be his main target and I will need to discuss whether or not he has a prep race with Mr Roy.

'He is still growing and is getting better and better. In fact, you won't see the best of him until next year.'

The sponsors were shortest about Dutch Art's Classic bid, with Coral, Ladbrokes and Blue Square all offering 10-1, while William Hill are 9s and totesport 8-1.

The trainer added: 'He just gets better and better. He's a different horse to when he won first time at Windsor, he was small then.

'He keeps growing and improving all the time.'

Chapple-Hyam was the last trainer to complete the Middle Park/2000 Guineas double with Rodrigo de Triano in 1991, and he continued: 'This horse is very, very good. I've said it for a long time.

'He is better on better ground too. I don't think Frankie got serious with him and he's a serious, serious horse.'

Dettori said: 'He's four from four now. When I was third behind him in the Morny I thought he was a special horse.

'I only had to change my hands, he quickened up and won like a good horse should do.

'At home he doesn't do a tap but when he comes to the races, he lights up and runs like a good horse.

'I've never ridden him on good ground, but he handled that. Good horses go on any ground and that would be the case with this one.'

Wi Dud's trainer Kevin Ryan said: 'I'm delighted. He's a proper horse. We were worried about the ground but he went through it OK. The winner looks top class.

'He switched off better here and stayed the stiff six really well. All he wants to do is please you.

'That's it for this year and he'll stay sprinting next year.'

(C) PA Sport