Alexandros poised to lift Godolphin gloom with win at Chester

Published on Thursday 8 May 2008 10:09

ALEXANDROS can revitalise Godolphin's spirits by winning the Addleshaw Goddard Dee Stakes at Chester.

Saeed bin Suroor's team endured a bit of a nightmare on Guineas weekend with Ibn Khaldun and Laureldean Gale both struggling in their respective Classic tilts. But the gloom is sure to lift if their Kingmambo colt does what is expected of him in this important Group Three contest. Alexandros makes his Godolphin bow having shown rock-solid form when in the care of Andre Fabre.

Already a Group Three and Listed scorer, the three-year-old did not do a great deal wrong in the Prix Morny, in which he finished a two-and-a-half-length third behind Myboycharlie.

The form obviously takes on added resonance as runner-up Natagora, who was half a length too strong for Alexandros at Deauville, has since won the Cheveley Park Stakes and the 1000 Guineas.

On pedigree, ten furlongs around the twists and turns of Chester should not be an issue for Frankie Dettori's mount, who could well prove up to Derby class if all goes well here.

Macarthur was called a few names at the Curragh last time but can make amends in the Group Three Blue Square Ormonde Stakes.

Aidan O'Brien's son of Montjeu was sent off the well-fancied 9-4 favourite for a small Listed heat last month but could only come home seventh behind Red Moloney.

He is far better than that, though, and a valid argument could be made that the ground went against him that day.

After all, his St Leger sixth was hardly a disgraceful way to end last season, especially as he was flat out of luck when it mattered, while his Great Voltigeur third was also a grand effort.