Dubawi Gold goes for Irish Guineas

Richard Hannon’s 2000 Guineas runner-up Dubawi Gold will have his next race in the Irish equivalent at the Curragh on May 21.

The colt has shown a completely new level of form since joining Hannon, and his reputation was enhanced even further at the weekend when beaten only by Frankel.

“To produce that sort of run after two wins on the all-weather at Lingfield shows what a decent horse Dubawi Gold is and, while he had a hard race, he has come back and eaten up, so we can start planning for Ireland,” said Hannon on his website.

“He’ll go to the Curragh with a big chance and I’m glad we won’t be meeting Frankel there.

“But if he wins in Ireland, the logical target would then be the St James’s Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot, where we will probably cross swords again with Frankel.

“However, Lord Carnarvon always used to tell me, ’Never be afraid of one horse’, so if it means we meet again on the Royal Heath, then so be it.

“Racing is all about competition, and there is no use in duck and diving every challenge that looks difficult.”