Mingun ready for International test
The three-year-old, who is a half-brother to the top-class miler Kingmambo, moves up to Group One level here for the first time after winning the Meld Stakes at Leopardstown last time.
Mingun has only been beaten once in four starts and O’Brien thinks he is definitely on the upward curve.
“He’s in good form and is definitely improving with every week,” said the Ballydoyle handler.
“It’s the only move we could make with him. He’s ready we think for this race. A slow run race at Leopardstown last time was not much help, so he did well to win it.”
The going at York is officially described as good to firm, good in places and O’Brien is hoping the fast ground will suit.
He added: “He will love the quick ground as he’s got a very low action.
“We thought 10 furlongs on a flat track and summer ground would be ideal and he gets that tomorrow.”
Mingun will face a tough task though with a high-class field, including last year’s winner Nayef to contend with.
Darryll Holland partners Luca Cumani’s Falbrav, the Coral Eclipse winner, in the mile and a half race.
The five-year-old seems to be a better horse over a mile and a quarter and Holland is hopeful of a bold show. “I’ve got stall two and I’m very happy with that because I’m not drawn on the outside. It’s going to be a match between me and Nayef again I would have thought,” he told attheraces.
Christophe Soumillon has been confirmed as Kalaman’s rider in the race after Johnny Murtagh decided to take the week off as he is suffering from a recurring back problem.
The three-year-old, who tackles the trip for the first time, will now be ridden by the French-based jockey who has notched up over 130 winners in France this season.
Soumillon has ridden Kalaman before when he won the Heron Stakes at Kempton in May and he is looking forward to renewing the partnership.
He said: “I was impressed with him when he won the Heron Stakes and I’m really looking forward to riding him in the big race tomorrow.”
One horse that will not be making the line up though is Dubai Destination, who finished only fifth in the Group One Prix Jacques le Marois at Deauville on Sunday.
The four-year-old has been ruled out of the race and Godolphin’s Simon Crisford told the official website: “Dubai Destination was a bit quiet this morning and definitely will not run at York.”
