Leopardstown date for Shaun
After winning on his debut in November, Pat Flynn’s charge proved too good for John Oxx’s well-regarded Red Eye Express when making his reappearance on the all-weather at Dundalk.
Prince Shaun is now set to be unleashed midweek, with a prominent showing likely to book his ticket to Ascot on June 18.
Flynn said: “He’ll probably go to Leopardstown on Wednesday, all being well. We’ll be hoping for the best and then we’ll look forward to going for the Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot.
“He’s a good horse, we think he has lots of ability and he’s genuine to the last.”
Meanwhile, Snaefell will bid to complete a hat-trick of victories this season when he steps up to Group Three company in the Weatherbys Ireland Greenlands Stakes at the Curragh on Saturday.
Winner of a handicap over the same six furlongs at the end of March, the grey gelding landed a Listed contest from Tax Free over the minimum trip at Naas a month ago.
“The plan is to run,” said trainer Michael Halford.
“He’s been improving, he likes the Curragh and I think he’s entitled to take his chance.
“We could do with a bit of rain, that would help, but I don’t think there’s a major amount anyway.
“He had form as a two-year-old on a quick surface and because it’s the Curragh and the way he has been running we have decided to let him take his chance.”
David Wachman is also considering the race for Contest, who got the better of Tax Free at Cork earlier this month.
“He might take his chance in the Greenlands,” said Wachman.
Tax Free’s trainer David Nicholls has Garnica among a total of 21 possibles for the Curragh prize.
An eight-strong entry from Britain also includes Jeremy Noseda’s Soldier’s Tale, the Richard Hannon-trained pair, Galeota and Sonny Red, and Kevin Ryan’s duo, Advanced and Tamagin.
A powerful home contingent includes Tommy Stack’s Myboycharlie and The Loan Express and four from Aidan O’Brien’s stable – Abraham Lincoln, Astronomer Royal, Great Rumpuscat and Port Of Spain.
