Denton Hall News

Dods has sights on gold as he gears up for new season

MICHAEL Dods has hopes of striking gold in a race he covets as he heads into the new turf flat season for his 36th year as a trainer.

Dods, based at Denton, near Darlington, has made no secret of his ambition to win the Ayr Gold Cup and the prestigious six-furlong handicap will again be the long-term target for Northern Ticker.

The imposing Mehmas gelding, owned by The Sekua Group, ran an admirable race to be sixth last year considering he was only a three-year-old, carrying 9 stone 9lbs, and drawn on the wrong side of a field of 25.

He had previously won the Sky Bet Constantine Handicap (Heritage Handicap) at York, beating stablemate Commanche Falls by a head in a memorable one-two for the yard (see main picture).

Dods has always felt Northern Ticker would progress as he matures into his big frame and it is hoped he shows that anticipated improvement as a four-year-old this year.

“We won’t be rushing him, but he seems well, and he’s grown into himself over the winter, so we’ll bring him along steadily,” said Dods, while overseeing his string on the beautiful Denton gallops this week.

“Looking back, it was a great run for a three-year-old in the Ayr Gold Cup, so that will be the aim again. He doesn’t want ground that’s too fast, and it wouldn’t be a surprise to also see him coming back to five furlongs at some stage.”

Two of the other stable stars – dual Stewards’ Cup winner Commanche Falls and seven-time winner Northern Express – have been in Bahrain since December in a new venture for the County Durham yard.

• Northern Express and Commanche Falls in the Bahrain sun

Both ran well before being caught up in the Middle East conflict and are still being cared for at the Rashid Equestrian and Horseracing Club until the pressure on air space eases to allow them to be flown home.

“It’s been frustrating but we’re hoping to get them back soon and have them assessed,” said Dods.

“They’ve just been kept ticking along and we see videos of them every day. They’re in good form and have enjoyed having the sun on their backs. They’re well forward so we’ll, hopefully, be in a good position with them when they’re back.”

The old man of the yard is Dakota Gold, winner of 17 of his 77 races, who will be racing as a 12-year-old in what could be his last season.

• Dakota Gold in his box this week

He ran six times last year, winning first time out at Ripon, and Dods believes there’s still fire in the belly: “He seems in really good form with himself and still has an appetite for racing, so we’ll see how he goes as long as he’s still enjoying himself,” he said.

Dods is hoping for better luck this year for Dave Stone’s Tatterstall after an interrupted campaign in 2025. He was injured when banging his head on the stalls at Goodwood in May and the ground was too soft for him by the time he was ready to race again.

“He seems in good form at the moment. He’s a very quick horse, so we’ll look at sharp five-furlong races on his preferred fast ground,” said Dods.

Tatterstall won the Aston Martin 3YO 'Dash' Handicap at Epsom in 2023 and he’s pencilled-in to start the 2026 season at the Surrey track in mid-April.

Glenfinnan, owned by Csk Services Limited, took a while to find his form last season but caught the eye when second in a race at Leopardstown in September, and is reported to have wintered well.

“He’s in good form and may run on the opening weekend at Doncaster on Sunday,” said Dods. “He’s moving nicely, doesn’t want it too soft, and needs a fast pace so he has something to aim at.”

Woven, owned by John Sagar and Dunham Trading, is entered in the same Doncaster handicap as Glenfinnan on Sunday. It follows a good season in 2025 when he was an unlucky second from an unfavourable draw in the Ayr Bronze Cup before returning to the Scottish track to win in October.

“He’s a veteran at 10 now and he still loves it but needs proper soft ground,” said Dods.

The filly Novamay made remarkable progress in the colours of the Antico Alliance last season, scoring a hat-trick of wins and rocketing from a mark of 59 to 84. Dods said: “She’s strengthened up this year and wintered well. We’re pleased with the way she’s filled out, and we’ll be looking for nice races over six furlongs for her.”

Kosometsuke has moved to Denton Hall from the Roger Varian stable to run in the colours of John Blackburn. The four-year-old gelding looks a nice acquisition after being second twice at Sandown and Ascot before winning at Yarmouth and ending the season on a mark of 80.

“He seems a nice type of horse who’s going nicely at home and we’re looking forward to running him,” said Dods.

The trainer has again been busy at the sales and believes he has a nice bunch of two-year-olds – some early types and others that will wait until later in the season before racing.

Capilano, a juvenile bay gelding by Ten Sovereigns, catches the eye as a big, good-looking horse with plenty of scope to do well for Dunham Trading.

• Capilano in the canter ring this week

Ahead of the turf season, the Dods all-weather horses have been going well. The yard is on six winners so far in 2026, with Brazilian Belle and Roaring Ralph scoring twice, and King’s Crown and Camera Shy adding to the tally.

The team of jockeys this season will again comprise Connor Beasley, Sean Kirrane, Paul Mulrennan, apprentice Rhys Elliott, while Mark Winn has also been riding out at the yard for the first time.

 “We’re happy with the way it’s been going on the all-weather and we’re looking forward to getting going on the turf with a nice mix of horses and plenty to look forward to,” said Dods.

A smile from Lauren Mulholland in the canter ring this week