Peslier going Native
The grey made a winning reappearance in the Craven Stakes at Headquarters earlier this month under Kieren Fallon but with a seven-day suspension ruling the Clareman out of the Guineas meeting, Dunlop needed a new jockey.
Top-class French pilot Peslier has ridden big-race winners all across the globe, including being on board Harbinger when Michael Stoute’s colt routed a small but select field of top class performers in last season’s King George at Ascot, and Dunlop is thrilled to have secured his services for the first Classic of the year.
Speaking on his website www.edunlop.com, the trainer said: “Olivier is a world-class jockey, and he won the Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot for us in 2006 on Ouija Board so hopefully he can work his magic again.
“Olivier has already won a Guineas on Cockney Rebel, so he knows what is required.
“Native Khan is in great form and though he will need to improve to beat Roderic O’Connor and Pathfork, let alone Frankel, he has definitely progressed since the Craven, and with no sign of any rain on the horizon we look like getting our favoured fast ground.
“With Frankel having a pacemaker, the gallop should be strong which will suit us ideally and while we face a tough task, he has won the trial in style and deserves to take his chance next week.”
Native Khan is a 14-1 chance for Newmarket glory.
