Elsworth hoping Dash Of Spice can cook up a storm in John Smith’s Cup on Saturday
Derby day and Royal Ascot victor looking to complete a hat-trick in competitive York handicap
PROGRESSIVE handicapper Dash Of Spice is hot on the trail of more handicap success in the John Smith's Cup at York on Saturday.
David Elsworth's improving four-year-old was impressive at Epsom and Royal Ascot and bids to land another valuable prize.
Having beaten a total of a combined thirty-four rivals on his two latest starts, it's fair to say that the son of Teofilo is well on his way to becoming Group performer.
Now rated 109, he's only a few pounds shy of the Group 2 Summer Mile contenders running at Ascot on the same day - and that's with the prospect of more to come.
However, the four-year-old is able to run off 103 as he's carrying just a 5lb penalty for his success, meaning that he's technically well-in.
Owner Jeff Smith is so confident of his horse's ability that he's entered him in the Group 1 Juddmonte International later in the season, and David Elsworth is hoping he's not tilting at windmills.
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Elsworth said: "Mr Smith is an ambitious, speculative man, despite his modesty, and he has entered him in the Juddmonte International.
"Even though the horse has a lump of weight to carry, this would give us an indication whether or not he's chasing rainbows."
Also lining up in the prestigious race is Winter Derby winner, Master The World.
The seven-year-old has been competing at a higher level in recent weeks, and now drops back to a grade at which he is more than capable of making an impact.
Elsworth added: "Those who know seem to underrate him a bit, I think. He's quite useful. He's not there to make the numbers up.
"He's run well over a mile and a quarter. There's every indication, if it's a good gallop, he'll finish well. So he goes there with a sporting chance."