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Saturday, 25 June 2011

Curragh Hopes for Carlton House


Carlton House, owned by the Queen, aims to make up for the disappointment of failing to win the Epsom Derby by landing Sunday's Irish version.

The colt, trained by Sir Michael Stoute, has reportedly recovered well and is expected to head the betting.

Carlton House was third in the English Classic behind the fast-finishing French-trained winner Pour Moi.

Epsom runner-up Treasure Beach is in the field along with Memphis Tennessee (fourth) and Native Khan (fifth).

Carlton House, bidding to be the first British colt to win the Curragh feature since Godolphin's Balanchine in 1994, is reported to be in fine shape for the race.

"It's all very exciting and we're thrilled that the horse has come out of Epsom extremely well," said Her Majesty's racing manager, John Warren.

"I'm thrilled for the Queen as that has given her something to very much look forward to this weekend. It should be a fascinating race with much of the field from Epsom, apart from the winner, converging on Ireland," he continued.

"Most of them were unexposed horses going into the Derby and the margins have been close enough. With only eight runners, it should be a really true and fair race."

Native Khan had finished third behind Frankel in the 2,000 Guineas before running well on his first try at a mile and a half in the world's most famous Flat race.

Johnny Murtagh took the ride for the first time at Epsom and the partnership will be maintained at the Curragh on Sunday.

"I think he got a little bit trapped down on the rail at Epsom. It was Johnny's first time riding the horse and he felt he could have finished a length and a half closer," said trainer Ed Dunlop.

Aidan O'Brien, who has trained the last five winners of Ireland's richest race, saddles half of the eight-strong field - Seville, Treasure Beach, Memphis Tennessee and Irish 2,000 Guineas winner Roderic O'Connor.

Kevin Prendergast's Dunboyne Express and the Dermot Weld-trained Notable Graduate, the son of Galileo, complete the field.


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