RACING:NATIVE KHAN will get a second Derby chance when he takes in the Dubai Duty Free-sponsored Irish version at the Curragh on Sunday.
Ed Dunlop’s grey emerged from Epsom with his reputation intact, finishing fifth behind Pour Moi.
Dunlop said: “He’s come out of the English Derby well. We’re pretty confident he stays, but we’re under no illusions. It’s going to be very tough again and maybe it’s going to be more of a stamina test, but it’s his last chance of running in a Classic against his own generation.”
The trainer added: “In time we may well drop him in trip. He’s in very good form and we’re happy with him.”
Native Khan will again face the Queen Elizabeth-owned and Michael Stoute-trained Carlton House, who is set to take his place in the race.Victory in the Dante Stakes at York ensured he was sent off hot favourite for the Derby at Epsom, although he did suffer a setback in the week leading up to the race.
He still put up a fine performance to finish third, beaten just a length by Pour Moi, and is set to get another shot at Classic glory at the Curragh this weekend.
A spokeswoman for the Stoute yard confirmed the intention is for the colt to be declared today, making him the first horse owned by a member of the British royal family to run in the Curragh Classic.
Top-class fillies Midday and Snow Fairy feature among a field of eight declared for the Stobart Ireland Pretty Polly Stakes at the Curragh tomorrow.
Henry Cecil’s Midday is a five-time winner at Group One level and ran an excellent race to finish second behind St Nicholas Abbey in the Coronation Cup at Epsom on her latest start.
Snow Fairy, trained by Ed Dunlop, had to make do with the runner-up spot behind her reopposing older rival in last year’s Yorkshire Oaks, but she still enjoyed a spectacular campaign.
The four-year-old grabbed Classic glory in both the English and the Irish Oaks before signing off with victories in Japan and Hong Kong. She met with a setback earlier this year and, as a result, this weekend’s start is her first since December.
With regular rider Ryan Moore otherwise engaged, Johnny Murtagh comes in for the mount.
Dunlop said: “It’s unlikely she’s grown much, but she’s grown stronger from three to four. She had an injury in Dubai. We’ve got that sorted thankfully and we are looking forward to seeing her back on the track.
“Midday has had two runs this year and we haven’t run for seven months. I’m sure she’ll improve for the run, but she won first time out last year at Goodwood.”
Aidan O’Brien saddles Misty For Me and Empowering, while Jim Bolger turns out Claiomh Solais just over a week after she ran down the field in the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot.
PRETTY POLLY STAKES:4-5 Midday, 5-2 Snow Fairy, 6-1 Misty For Me, 20-1 Chrysanthemum, 20-1 Claoimh Solais, 25-1 Aoife Alainn, 33-1 Empowering, 50-1 Obama Rule.
