RACING NEWS:A GOOD run by Dunboyne Express in Saturday's Abu Dhabi Irish 2,000 Guineas at the Curragh will see Kevin Prendergast's colt line up in the Epsom Derby a fortnight later.
Prendergast doesn’t anticipate a mile and a half being a problem for Dunboyne Express who won on his reappearance this season at Leopardstown in March.
“His pedigree says he should get the trip, especially on his dam’s side, and his style of racing suggests he will,” the veteran trainer said yesterday. “We have to get through Saturday but if he runs in the first three then we will look at Epsom.”
Dunboyne Express is a 25 to 1 shot for Epsom but has been backed into second favouritism in some ante-post lists for this weekend’s classic where the Newmarket runner Dubawi Gold tops the betting.
“Frankel seems to be in another parish to most horses so he (Dubawi Gold) is the one we all have to beat,” Prendergast said. “Basically you have to respect the others but we fancy beating them on Saturday.”
The other British challenger in the 2,000 Guineas will be Slim Shadey, who belied 200 to 1 odds with a fine fourth to Frankel at Newmarket.
His trainer Stan Moore said yesterday: “He finished fourth and it was a proper Guineas with a lot of good horses in it. He put in a great performance and will improve for it. The Curragh will suit him as it is pretty stiff and I think he will definitely stay a mile and a quarter. The ground will be different I would say but he is versatile.”
