NATIVE KHAN, who finished an honourable fifth in last Saturday's Investec Derby at Epsom, will run in his third classic of the season in the Irish Derby at The Curragh on June 26, with Johnny Murtagh retaining the ride.
Ed said:"Having had discussions with Pinar Araci, whose father Ibrahim owns Native Khan, we have decided to go to Ireland. Epsom showed us that Native Khan stays the mile and a half which opens up so many more doors, and, while we did consider the Coral-Eclipse at Sandown, we would be taking on older horses there and it makes sense to stick to your own age group while it is still possible."
"Native Khan came out of Epsom well and, with Johnny having been so complimentary about the horse afterwards, I am delighted that he is again available to ride. We prefer to have continuity when we can with our jockeys, and, though Johnny is retained by the Aga Khan, he has agreed to ride Native Khan for us when His Highness does not need him."
SNOW FAIRY is reported none the worse for her first workout on the Al Bahathri Polytrack gallop since she was injured on the run up to the Sheema Classic in March, and Ed has confirmed that our dual Oaks winner's comeback target remains the Pretty Polly Stakes at The Curragh the day before the Derby.
He said:"Adrian McCarthy gave Snow Fairy a breeze up the all-weather on Tuesday, and everything is fine. Royal Ascot was always going to come too soon, and, though we could have taken on the colts in the Eclipse, the Pretty Polly is a valuable Group 1 race in its own right and again it seems logical to go for a fillies only race while we still can."
Finally, it was strange seeing our new recruit POSSOL out with the string this week, and he is being lined up for an audacious tilt at the Queen Alexandra Stakes at Royal Ascot on Saturday week.
Ed said:"Possol won two hurdles and four chases when with Henry Daly and finished third to Big Bucks in last year's Grade 1 Liverpool Hurdle at Aintree. However, his owner fancies seeing what he could achieve in a long-distance race on the Flat, so he has joined us for the summer and it will be interesting to see how he shapes at Ascot."