RACING:DUNBOYNE EXPRESS will fly the Irish flag at Deauville this afternoon when he lines up in a Group Two prize against the dual-classic heroine Golden Lilac and her old rival Galikova.
Eight runners line up for the Prix Guillane D’Ornano, including Dunboyne Express who made Banimpire pull out all the stops in his last start in the Royal Whip at the Curragh.
Declan McDonogh again takes the mount but the partnership take on Golden Lilac, winner of both the French 1,000 Guineas and Oaks this year, as well as Goldikova’s half sister, Galikova who was runner-up in the French Oaks.
“He came out of his last race well and the run did him good so hopefully he will get over the travelling and he’ll run a big race,” Dunboyne Express’s trainer Kevin Prendergast said yesterday. “The ground has been soft at Deauville which will suit him.”
There is a Prendergast link to the concluding maiden hurdle at Roscommon this evening as the 2008 Ballysax Stakes winner Moiqen makes his jumping debut.
Now in the care of “Shark” Hanlon, Moiqen hasn’t run in a long time though and a better option could be the Galway runner-up Dowd’s Angle.
Some star names line up for the “Jog For Jockeys” Challenge as the likes of Johnny Murtagh and Pat Smullen take on Paul Carberry Co in a jump versus flat riders competition over a mile and a half. Alan Crowe is on the Galileo filly Galakina and she can go one better than her second to Newmarket Story at Cork last time.
Murtagh’s mount Iron Major can complete a rare four-in-a-row now that he is back up to seven furlongs tonight.
