Acid test for Godolphin Derby hope

Godolphin handler Mahmoud Al Zarouni is hoping Mandaean can underline his Classic credentials and run a big race in today's Group Two Dante Stakes at York. The 2,000 metre contest is a reputed trial for the Epsom Derby and Al Zarouni believes that it will offer valuable clues as he seeks a third successive shot at Britain's most famous horse race. The Emirati handler saddled Rewilding to finished third to Workforce in the 2010 Derby and saw Ocean War disappoint when 11th behind Pour Moi at Epsom last year. Mandaean is his first runner in the Dante, a trial that has produced nine subsequent Epsom stars, the most recent being Authorised in 2007. Although lightly-raced Madaean looks to have the right profile of a Derby horse. He impressed immensely in both career starts when previously trained by French maestro Andre Fabre and has reportedly been putting in some eye-catching performance during his prep for the Dante.However, Al Zarouni, whose star has been rising rapidly since he was appointed as a Godolphin trainer in March, 2010, admits that he still has a lot to learn about the Manduro colt. "He has done well and is ready to go. Hopefully, this run can get him ready for the Derby if he is good enough. I don't really know how good he is yet. He won his Group One as a two-year-old so he is a nice horse and he is in good form. I think the ground will be fine for him. It was very soft when he won his Group One, but I think good ground might be even better for him." In a surprise twist to the traditional Godolphin script Mandaean will be ridden by French jockey Mickael Barzalona and not the stable's number one rider Frankie Dettori. Explaining the approach Al Zarounzi said: "We are letting Mickael ride because we want to give him chance to get used to the English style of racing. In France, the racing is very different as they go slow and then speed it up. There should be plenty of pace in the Dante and it is a good chance for him to learn more." Mandaean faces six rivals including Ektihaam, who carries the colours of two-time Derby winning owner Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance. Today's field also includes Andrew Balding's Derby hope Bonfire, the ante-post favourite and John Gosden's 2000 Guineas sixth Fencing.