Connections of Dunboyne Express are praying for soft conditions at the Curragh for the Irish Derby on Sunday.
The Shamardal colt, trained by Kevin Prendergast, disappointed on good to firm ground in the Irish 2000 Guineas at the County Kildare track when he was only fifth to Roderic O’Connor.
Dunboyne Express has also yet to prove he stays as he has yet to run beyond a mile (1600m).
“We were disappointed with him in the Irish Guineas,” the colt’s regular jockey Declan McDonogh told At The Races.
“The main reason for it, we think, was because of the ground. It was pretty firm on the day and he possibly doesn’t act on it.
“If he stays and it rains he could run into the money. There’s no point saying he’s going to be in the first three.
“We are going into the unknown a little, but he does handle soft ground if it turned out that way.
“He’s in great form. I worked him on Tuesday morning on the grass.
“It was on the easy side and he felt great and handled it very well.”
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