Denton Hall News

'It's great for the north' says Dods after Ascot and Goodwood triumphs

TRAINER Michael Dods has paid tribute to Tatterstall's "guts and tenacity" after the gelding's narrow victory at Glorious Goodwood in a near-record time today.

After winning the Three-Year-Old Dash at Epsom on Derby Day last year, the horse put in some disappointing runs and it transpired that he had a wind problem. However, after surgery, the son of Bungle Inthejungle has bounced back to form this season.

A win at Catterick in June showed he was back on track, and now he's proved to be better than ever by landing the Coral Racing Club Handicap over Goodwood's five furlongs, beating Jack Channon's Miss Attitude by a nose.

"You've got to give the horse a lot of credit," said Michael. "To come back from struggling to breathe and then show the kind of guts and tenacity he displayed today is testament to how game he is.

"He's a very, very fast horse. He was clocking 45 miles an hour today and the time was only 200th of a second outside the course record. That's really going some and he just loves these fast tracks like Epsom, Goodwood and Catterick when it's fast ground. He just likes to get on with it and not be interfered with - Connor gave him a top ride."

Michael's daughter and assistant trainer, Chloe, rides Tatterstall in his work at home and has played a big part in the gelding's resurgence.

The trainer says it's too early to say where Tatterstall will go next, adding the race at Goodwood had been the plan for the past two months.

"He was entered at Hamilton on Saturday in case the ground wasn't right at Goodwood but we always felt this race would suit him down to the ground. We'll enjoy today and see where we go next.

"Sprinters get better with age, and I'd expect him to improve, so there's a lot to look forward to. As he gets older, he might even cope with a stiffer track."

Tatterstall's victory came days after the Dods yard had plundered another big handicap in the south, with the ultra-consistent Northern Express winning the Moet & Chandon International Stakes (Heritage Handicap) at Ascot on Saturday under what the trainer described as a "brave" ride from Paul Mulrennan.

"The horse deserved that because he's run well in a lot of good handicaps. We weren't happy with the draw and we felt he was high in the handicap but we tried him with cheek-pieces, changed the tactics, and the horse dug deep," said Michael.

"The handicapper's given him 4lbs for the win but there are races at Ascot and Goodwood coming up that will be options."

The listed Guisborough Stakes at Redcar in October is another possibility.

"You just have to enjoy these big days when they come along. We don’t go down there for these races unless we think the horse can be competitive.

“The last few days has been great for the north and great for the team here because it's a big team effort."

The Dods yard won back-to-back Stewards' Cups at Goodwood with Commanche Falls in 2021 and 2022 and the trainer has Glenfinnan entered for Saturday's renewal.

"The plan is to run at the moment and he deserves his chance," said Michael.