Contest Heading To Sandown

David Wachman will target Contest at the cherriesracing.com Scurry Stakes at Sandown rather than the William Hill Trophy at York on Saturday.

The Danehill Dancer colt has created a big impression in his three starts to date, winning two of them.

Owned by the Coolmore triumvirate of Derrick Smith, Sue Magnier and Michael Tabor, he had been allotted joint top weight in the valuable York contest.

However, connections have decided to go for the Listed prize at the Esher venue instead.

'I´ll probably go to Sandown with him,' Wachman confirmed.

'It would have been a tough ask at York off top weight with only three runs under his belt and I think the owners would rather he went for a Listed race so that is what we´ll do.

'We think quite a bit of him but time will tell if he is going to be good enough.

'He´s won over five and six and either trip is fine for him. He´s certainly got enough toe for five furlongs and we´ll see whether he´s exciting or not after Saturday.'

Richard Fahey hopes to have two runners in the valuable event.

However, while one representative, Utmost Respect, heads the market at a skinny 7-2 with William Hill, his other possible, Steelcut, may not make the cut.

With rain forecast in the north ahead of the weekend, Fahey is unconcerned about the prospect of soft ground as both of Utmost Respect´s victories as a juvenile came with cut in the ground.

'The more the better for him,' said Fahey. 'He won´t mind soft ground and he´s quite a nice horse. We´ll find out how nice on Saturday.

'Steelcut will run if he gets in, but he´s not certain to make the cut.

'Both horses are in great form, but Utmost would certainly be the better of the two.'

(C) PA Sport