The £75,000 Investec Specialist Bank 'Dash', run over the fastest five furlongs in the world at Epsom Downs on Investec Derby Day, Saturday, June 2, has attracted 61 entries.
Trainer George Baker has three entries to his name, including the smart Humidor, who triumphed in the Listed Scarbrough Stakes at Doncaster in September on his most recent start in Britain.
The five-year-old spent the winter in Dubai after coming home fifth in the Group Three Prix Omenoni in Milan, Italy, in October, but following a promising debut effort at Meydan, he disappointed in two subsequent outings.
Baker, who is based at Whitsbury in Hampshire, said: “The Investec Specialist Bank 'Dash' is an option for Humidor.
“He has had a break since Dubai and we're bringing him back now, but he does need a little bit of dig in the ground. He looks really well and hopefully he will have a big year ahead of him.
“He ran very well first time out in Dubai, but he banged himself in the stalls on his second run - so we can put a line through that - and then on his last start the ground had got pretty quick out there.
“These sprinters need everything to drop right because they can beat each other every other day. Humidor probably has more quirks than most as we have to walk him down to the start and try to keep a lid on him, but hopefully with maturity he will improve. He has always been a challenge, but you can forgive them when they have an engine.”
Tim Easterby had memorable one-two in last year's renewal and both Captain Dunne and Confessional could bid for a repeat result this season. Both horses however, were unplaced behind Mirza at Newbury on April 20, a race that featured Tom Dascombe's Blue Jack (second), and Robert Cowell's Lui Rei (third), who have both received entries.
Dandy Nicholls has made six entries, spearheaded by the classy Tax Free, winner of 15 races throughout his career, and the admirable 12-year-old Indian Trail, who captured the Investec Specialist Bank 'Dash' in 2009 from Captain Dunne. Nicholls has an enviable record with sprinters and has won the race three times in the past 10 years.
Another trainer to look out for in the Investec Specialist Bank 'Dash' is Stuart Williams, who could rely on Bertoliver, a 33/1 surprise winner of the race in 2010. Williams also saddled Hogmaneigh to success in 2007.
Andrew Balding could saddle the classy filly Night Carnation, who was sixth in the QIPCO British Champion Series Sprint on her final start last season, and the lightly-raced Desert Law.
Henry Candy has entered Dinkum Diamond, while Scott Dixon could be represented by recent course and distance scorer Cadeaux Pearl, who got the better of Taajub in the Investec Specialist Bank Handicap at the Investec Spring Meeting on April 25.
Richard Fahey has started the season in flying form and has entered Jamesway, who finished fourth behind Cadeaux Pearl at Epsom, plus recent Wolverhampton scorer Arctic Feeling.
Kevin Ryan has made six entries from his large string including Lexi's Hero and York Glory, who both captured strongly-contested handicaps at York last season.
Es Que Love has made a fine start to his three-year-old career with front-running victories at Pontefract and Newmarket to his name and he is one of two entries for Mark Johnston.
Ron Harris has entered three horses led by Sugar Beet, who was third in a Listed contest at Bath on April 20, while stable stalwart Judge 'N Jury is another possible starter along with Noverre To Go.
Irish-handler Ger Lyons has entered Chocolate Hills, who is owned by Sheikh Mohammed, while fellow Irish handler Tommy Stack could be represented by Celerina. The third entry from Ireland is the John Shanahan-trained Oor Jock.
Other notable entries include Roger Varian's talented sprinter Steps, Bryan Smart's Verinco, Brian Meehan's Sandown scorer Ballesteros and the David Barron-trained Long Awaited, who made a winning return at Doncaster on April 27.
