Cole counting down to National Stakes with Dr Rascal

Oliver Cole is relishing sending Dr Rascal into the lion’s den for the Goffs Vincent O’Brien National Stakes at the end of what will be a busy few days for the Whatcombe operation’s high-ranking juveniles.

Just like Eve Johnson Houghton’s recent Celebration Mile winner Zavateri did when scooping the Curragh Group One 12 months ago, Dr Rascal will head to the Curragh unbeaten after making it three from three in the Vintage Stakes at Goodwood.

The colt got the better of Aidan O’Brien’s Haffner at the finish on that occasion and with the Ballydoyle inmate boosting the form by winning the Acomb Stakes at York, an intriguing rematch is scheduled for a race also set to include O’Brien’s ante-post Derby favourite Giant Sequoia.

Cole, whose confidence has been enhanced by a recent away day, said: “I’m very much looking forward to taking him to Ireland. We took him to Newbury for a racecourse gallop last Friday and he worked really well.

“I think he did it the hard way at Goodwood, he’s gone up the rail and bumped into the Amo horse (Pikachu) and still won.

“He’s got an amazing constitution and when we took him to Newbury he was very relaxed and taking everything in his stride, he’s got the most amazing mentality and doesn’t get wound up. He’s just a pleasure to train really.

“I think he’s still improving and is lightly raced for a reason, he’s a big horse and is one we’re very much hoping will be next year’s horse. He’s just kept on improving and he’ll need to improve again for the next race, but he will go there in very good form.”

A day prior to Dr Rascal’s outing in Ireland, stablemate Silver Dominion will contest the Betfred Champagne Stakes on Doncaster’s St Leger card, having found only Christopher Head’s French hotpot Avec Toi too much to handle in Deauville last time out.

It was a display that pleased his handler after his second to subsequent Solario Stakes winner Alfred Wallace in the Pat Eddery Stakes at Ascot and he is another youngster Cole holds in lofty regard.

Cole said: “He’s going to go to the Champagne Stakes and he’s in good form. I’m looking forward to seeing him again and he ran so well behind Avec Toi in Deauville.

“He’s had to make up more ground than any other horse and it’s not like they went particularly fast, so you could probably upgrade that run a little bit.

“He did an easy bit of work on Tuesday morning and might do another easy bit next week and then he will be ready.”

Just behind Silver Dominion in third in that penultimate outing at Ascot was Dandyman Dan, then trained by David Evans and since a new recruit to Cole’s Wantage-based team.

He is also poised to be in action on Town Moor during the St Leger Festival, sticking to Listed company for the Betfred Flying Scotsman Stakes on stable debut.

Cole continued: “He is a new recruit for the Hays and will go for the Flying Scotsman.

“He’s a nice horse and I think he’s going to get better, he has a great attitude.”