The Irish Derby is still in the melting pot, and, while Ed won't make firm plans until he sees how NATIVE KHAN comes out of his Epsom exertions, he was "well pleased" with the colt's fifth place in yesterday's Investec Derby.
Giving the thumbs up on Sunday morning, Ed said:"Native Khan has run a great race and has come back absolutely fine. Johnny (Murtagh) felt that granted better luck in running he might have finished fourth. However, now we know that he stays the mile and a half our options are increased, though equally he has the speed to go back to a mile and a quarter should we wish."
"Johnny was very complimentary about Native Khan and feels that he is only now starting to become a real racehorse. He got a bit trapped on the rail up the straight and on a more conventional track may have finished closer, but they are all maybes and we have no complaints. We can certainly look to the future with optiimism."
Being French-bred, Native Khan qualifies for a breeders premium should he win on Gallic shores, so the Grand Prix de Paris at Longchamp could also be one of the colt's summer targets."