Stable News
15-06-2007 Ed Dunlop looks forward to Royal Ascot
ROYAL ASCOT is just about here and Ed Dunlop has a good-sized team to target Europe’s premier Flat meeting with.
Last year provided the Gainsborough Stables’ trainer with one of his career highlights as Ouija Board produced a scintillating performance to triumph in the Group 1 Prince Of Wales’s Stakes.
Any Ascot success is sweet but to land such a prestigious race with such a mare made it a day to savour. Sadly, this time around there will be no Ouija Board - the great racehorse, having been retired to the paddocks.
But Dunlop still has several interesting prospects to take to the famous Berkshire track in search of glory on racing’s grandest stage.
The second day - Wednesday June 20 - is when the action starts for the Dunlop string with the likelihood of Gainsborough Stables being double-handed in the prestigious Royal Hunt Cup.
Recent Goodwood winner King Of Argos and Montpellier - second in a valuable Epsom handicap on Oaks day - both go to Ascot as interesting contenders.
Dunlop said: “King Of Argos restored his reputation with his Goodwood win following the Victoria Cup when the very soft ground didn’t suit. If the ground were to come up similarly soft for the Hunt Cup, there would obviously be a question mark.
Montpellier
“We’ve always known he is a talented horse and he is progressing nicely. A similar sentiment applies to Montpellier - both horses have the same sort of profile. He, however, likes a slight bit of give. He ran very well last time out at Epsom and was unlucky not to win.”
Dunlop could also have two runners in the Sandringham in the shape of improving types, Chantilly Tiffany and Graduation. The former is the most likely participant in the mile Listed fillies’ handicap, while Graduation has an alternative target as Ed outlined.
“Chantilly Tiffany is a Pivotal filly who has won two out of three, I was quite impressed with her victory in a conditions race at Newmarket on her last start. The straight mile at Ascot will suit, she seems in good form and is near the bottom of the handicap.
Graduation
“Graduation was third in a mile Listed race at York last time out, appearing to be out-stayed on slow ground. She has been given an entry in the Jersey Stakes. The reasoning behind that is that probably a stiff seven will suit her. If we do end up going for the Listed handicap with her, we will hold her up.”
Dalvina will seek to put her Oaks experience behind her when she lines up in the Group 2 Ribblesdale Stakes next Thursday.
Dalvina
Her trainer said: “Epsom was extremely disappointing but I had huge doubts about the soft ground and her ability to handle the track. Unfortunately, I was proved correct on both accounts but she has come out of the race extremely well.
“On the same day in the Britannia, we have two possibles - King Charles and Al Khaleej. King Charles bounced back well at Redcar to finish second and was only beaten by a progressive filly that day. Al Khaleej was second on his seasonal return over nine furlongs and is a possible but not a certainty for the Britannia.”
King Charles
The King George V will see Dunlop saddle Western Adventure, a Newbury maiden winner and subsequent Listed third at Hamilton. Madaarek is also to be entered for the race but is more likely to tackle the Group 3 Queen’s Vase over two miles on the Friday.
Madaarek
Staunch campaigner Tabadul will seek to further enhance his solid reputation in the 10-furlong Wolferton - a Listed handicap for older horses.
Dunlop added: “There is a chance that King Of Argos - if we choose not to run him in the Hunt Cup - may be aimed at the Buckingham Palace on the Friday. The stiff seven should suit as they tend to go so fast in this race.”
|
