Berry happy with Curtain's chances in Doncaster

Fran Berry believes Curtain Call’s first career victory in the Beresford Stakes has “set him up nicely” for the Racing Post Trophy at Doncaster tomorrow.

Jessica Harrington’s colt is a worthy favourite for the final Group One of the British Flat term following his triumph over a mile in the Group Two at the Curragh four weeks ago.

That maiden success came after he ran Europe’s top two-year-old New Approach to three lengths in a seven-furlong Group Two at the Curragh in August.

“I can’t wait for it to be honest,” said Berry.

“It was a very good run on his second last start (behind New Approach) and he stepped up and improved last time.

“It was a very good performance against some decent horses. It was a great win and it should set him up nicely for tomorrow, hopefully.

“On his run behind New Approach he was entitled to win the Beresford – his form is very good.

“He’s by Sadler’s Wells out of a staying family so the mile suits him very well at this stage.”

All of Curtain Call’s four races so far have been on soft or yielding ground but Berry is convinced he will cope with the likely faster conditions on Town Moor.

“The going shouldn’t be a problem. He’s worked up the Curragh a couple of times on peat gallops which have ridden good and he has handled those conditions equally well,” Berry added.

“He’s always been as good on good ground as on soft. He doesn’t seem to have any preference for one or the other.

“He was very well when I rode him last Friday and he worked equally as good as he did before running at the Curragh last time, so I’d be very hopeful of a big run.”

Robert Havlin is happy to be reunited with Peter Chapple-Hyam’s Declaration Of War after missing out last time.

Havlin rode the Okawango colt in his first four starts but Ryan Moore took over when Declaration Of War chased home Rio De La Plata in the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere in Paris on Arc day.

“He worked well in his final piece the other day and draw two should not be a bother,” said the jockey.

“He’s a handy little horse and there will be plenty of juice in the ground for him.”

Tajaaweed, trained by Michael Stoute, made a bright start to his racing career when sluicing home by five lengths on his debut at Nottingham.

Angus Gold, racing manager to owner Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum, said: “He ran a lovely race first time and we were very encouraged by that.

“Obviously it’s a huge jump up in class from a maiden to a Group One, but I think Michael feels he needs another run anyway and he’s a horse of potential so we’ll give it a try.

“He’s potentially a nice staying horse in the making and this is an obvious step.

“Hopefully the ground won’t be too bad and we’ll just have to see how we go.”

Trainer Saeed bin Suroor reports Ibn Khaldun to be in fine shape for the step up to Grade One class after winning his last three races.

“Ibn Khaldun came out of the Autumn Stakes at Ascot very well, and I’m very happy with his preparation for this race,” he told www.godolphin.com.

“It’s going to be hard to win a Group One contest, but he’s tough horse and we’re looking forward to seeing a good run from him.”