Simon Mapletoft on the AWC: Stable Tours – Dean Ivory

The London trainer is banking on a blend of proven performers and untapped potential to make his mark on the trainers’ championship.

Dean Ivory is banking on a blend of proven high class performers and untapped potential to propel him into the headlines this winter. The Radlett handler is looking forward to targeting the big Mile races with Sirius Prospect, who has been given a break in readiness for the Hyde Stakes at Kempton in November – a Fast Track Qualifier for Good Friday.

The seven-year-old won the Listed feature two years ago before bagging a valuable handicap at the Sunbury track in November 2014. Though Lingfield might not play to his strengths, he was beaten only four lengths by Captain Cat in the 2014 Mile Final. “He’s getting older but at least he goes into the winter a fresh horse, so I’m hopeful of winning more races,” says Ivory.

He is also hoping to get to the Sprint Final with the ever-reliable Lancelot Du Lac, who has run some creditable races in defeat in the Group One July Cup, the Stewards’ Cup and the Wokingham. However, he is highly effective when stalking the pace on the All-Weather and will take his chance in Fast Track Qualifiers at Lingfield – “a track he handles really well”.

Golden Amber “didn’t hit the heights I hoped she would” when arriving at Ivory’s yard from Ireland last winter, but has been steadily progressive this year. “She loves Chelmsford, winning twice there over six furlongs, and with a rating of 100 will be another contender for all the best sprint races.

Ivory is hoping that the patience he has shown lightly raced Dansili gelding Shanti will pay dividends. “I bought him cheaply out of Michael Bell’s last autumn,” says the trainer. “He had a tendon problem but is going nicely now and could be anything with a rating of just 69.”