Flat season preview - 12 to watch

Lydia Hislop13 April 2012

The assembly bell rings at Doncaster today for Britain's new turf Flat term, but the scholars are still out in Dubai for its lucrative World Cup card.

Sakhee was teacher's pet in 2001, winning both the International and Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe with ease before narrowly losing out to American giant, Tiznow, in the Breeders' Cup Classic.

With stablemate Fantastic Light, Tiznow and dual Derby hero Galileo all retired, Godolphin's flagbearer represents the old school in 2002. In Saturday's £4.2 million Dubai World Cup he faces Agnes Digital, representing the new thoroughbred force of Japan, and stable companion Street Cry, back from injury.

Exciting young upstarts to watch this year include Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf winner Banks Hill, set to be campaigned over middle distances by Andre Fabre, and Champion Stakes hero Nayef, who reappears for trainer Marcus Tregoning in Saturday's Dubai Sheema Classic at Nad Al Sheba. One of the most eagerly anticipated events of 2002 takes place in May at Louisville, Kentucky, when Coolmore's Johannesburg aims to follow up his imperious Breeders' Cup Juvenile success with victory in the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs.

The enhanced role of Lingfield's Polytrack could include providing Johannesburg with a dirt prep for America's premier classic on Grand National day, 6 April. Perhaps Dubai Destination - formerly known as Copernican, his name changed in anticipation of great things like Dubai Millennium, aka Yaazer, before him - can claim the most significant home win for Godolphin in our own Derby on 8 June.

Other notices for the class of '02: reigning champion jockey Kieren Fallon returns as a freelance after dissatisfied owners forced an end to his retainer with Sir Michael Stoute and former multiple champion trainer Henry Cecil faces a make-or-break season after two years of largely dwindling fortunes. Copy down into your exercise books the following 12 horses who will reward study this year.

And Beyond
(4-y-o colt, trainer: Mark Johnston).
Couldn't be in better hands for a Cup campaign, hailing from the yard that won Ascot Gold Cups with Double Trigger and Royal Rebel. Stable-mate Double Honour is perhaps the more obvious choice, but this classy colt is certain to stay extreme trips. Problems following his Queen's Vase win now solved. Type to blossom this term.

Big Moment
(4-y-o gelding, trainer: Barry Hills).
Ended last term the victim of three poor rides - either boxed in or set too much to do in top staying handicaps the Melrose, Mallard and Cesarewitch. Earlier aspersions cast over his resolution dispelled by step up in trip. Survived yard's annual hardpruning at sales time. Better expected from gelding built to bloom at four.

Carnival Dancer
(4-y-o colt, trainer: Sir Michael Stoute).
Lightly-raced. Trounced his elders in Ayr's Scottish Classic on only his fourth start last July. Then finished admirable fifth behind Nayef in the Champion Stakes against more experienced top-flight rivals, his rider's hold-up tactics fiercely criticised by owners Cheveley Park Stud. His trainer has no equal in conjuring further improvement.

Danehurst
(4-y-o filly, trainer: Sir Mark Prescott).
Built on smart juvenile form despite pulling a muscle midseason. Won three strongly contested Listed events. Valid excuses when twice beaten taking on better company. Stays six furlongs. Candidate for top sprinting honours. Her trainer's immense skill does not lie with handicappers alone, as Alborada's career testifies.

Dubai Destination
(3-y-o colt, Trainer: Saeed bin Suroor)
More than likely to miss the 2,000 Guineas. Back in full training following autumn setback that counted him out of the Dewhurst, but not as forward as Godolphin vanguard. Likely to stay beyond a mile - even Derby entered. May reappear in the Dante. Made topclass Rock Of Gibraltar look pedestrian at Doncaster. Exciting.

Esloob
(3-y-o filly, trainer: Marcus Tregoning).
Followed up hot maiden win with staying-on third to Gossamer in Ascot's Fillies' Mile on ground softer than preferred. More to come over middle distances this term. Has done well over the winter according to her trainer, the coming man of his profession. Oaks bound, reappearing in one of its trials. Reported to be forward in her preparation.

Fight Your Corner
(3-y-o colt, trainer: Mark Johnston).
Perpetually underestimated last season, this colt proved a revelation when stepped up to a mile. Tops Johnston's middle-distance pecking order. Not yet entered in Derby - French equivalent currently his main target. Guineas-engaged, but more likely to reappear in next month's Feilden Stakes or even wait for May's Dante.

Foreign Affairs
(4-y-o colt, Trainer: Sir Mark Prescott).
You don't expect an Arc candidate to be beaten in a handicap - unless you're unfortunate enough to encounter a subsequent Irish Oaks heroine. That's what happened when this colt met Lailani first time out at Epsom last June. Caught the eye tracking Sakhee in desperate ground at Longchamp. Can prove Group class over 10 to 12 furlongs.

Masterful
(4-y-o colt, trainer: Saeed bin Suroor).
Suffered bad case of seconditis early last year, cured by switch to front-running tactics. Signed off for trainer John Gosden with comfortable pillar-to-post Group Two success at Deauville last August. Joined Godolphin. Lightly-raced and open to further improvement for new stable now that he is more developed physically.

Miss Corniche
(3-y-o filly, trainer: Geoff Wragg).
Followed up promising debut second against smart and more experienced rival by beating the colts in a Yarmouth maiden. Miler with potential to stay 10 furlongs. Typically for stable, not entered in 1,000 Guineas - Royal Ascot's Coronation Stakes the chief target. Stablemate Trojan Princess, bound for Nell Gywn Guineas trial, also highly rated.

Scotty's Future
(4-y-o gelding, trainer: David Nicholls).
Progressed last term in handicaps for then-trainer Alex Stewart. Sold for 65,000gns last October. Famous for re-igniting other handlers' cast-offs, Nicholls can power-boost a career still on the upgrade. Possesses turn of foot. Promises to handle all types of going. Carries 8st 7lb in Saturday's Lincoln at Doncaster.

Tobougg
(4-y-o colt, trainer: Saeed bin Suroor).
Can build on consistent Group One-placed form last term with another winter on his back. Struck Frankie Dettori as dual Emirates World Series champion Fantastic Light's natural successor when second to Japan's Agnes Digital in the Hong Kong Cup last December. Reappears in Saturday's Dubai Sheema Classic.

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