Native Khan could be the forgotten horse in the 2000 Guineas, according to his trainer Ed Dunlop.
The grey Azamour colt impressively won his first two starts, including the Solario Stakes at Sandown, but lost his unbeaten record in the Racing Post Trophy.
However, connections are adamant the soft ground contributed to his downfall that day when he was just over three lengths behind the winner Casamento in fourth place.
“He seems to have been forgotten about,” Dunlop said.
“We made an error running him in the Racing Post Trophy on the ground. We suspected for a long time that such a good-moving horse wouldn’t be able to act on soft ground, and we were right.
“We also probably rode him wrong – he was too far off the pace. He was forced to pick up from off the pace but he ran on to be fourth and ran well. Had he been closer he would have finished closer.
“He’s wintered very well, we’ve been pleased with his work so far and we’re happy with him.
“He was the talking horse last year but he’s the forgotten horse this year.
“With him being a French-bred the French Guineas is also an option and it could depend on the ground. He doesn’t want it like a road but he doesn’t want soft ground.
“He’ll run in either race and hopefully all goes well. He won’t go for a trial, he’ll run in either Guineas first time out.”
PA gm
