Varian desperate for rain for Kingston

According to the bookmakers Roger Varian’s Kingston Hill is the only credible rival to Australia in Saturday’s Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby at the Curragh but the trainer would be "very reluctant to run" on fast ground.

Australia beat Kingston Hill by just over a length in the Investec Derby earlier this month and there are a few who believe the more conventional nature of the County Kildare track will suit the Newmarket raider more than Epsom’s twists and turns.

However, despite already having made the journey over the Irish Sea, Varian has reiterated that he will not risk the Racing Post Trophy winner on ground that he thinks is too fast.