Big ground worry for Native Khan Native Khan, who has shown a preference for fast groud, makes his first start for leading Irish trainer John Oxx in the Friarstown Stud International Stakes at the Curragh on Sunday. Native Khan is owned by Ibrahim Araci and his daughter, Pinar is on record back in March as saying: “The Tattersalls Gold Cup and Champion Stakes are on the list for Native Khan. However, it depends on how his training goes.” Johnny Murtagh stepped in to ride the horse in the Epsom Derby after Kieren Fallon breached his contract to ride the horse, opting instead to partner Recital for Aidan O’Brien. However, Fallon was sensationally prevented from riding in the Derby when Native Khan’s owner was granted an injunction on the morning of the race that prevented Fallon from riding against his horse. A smart juvenile and an impressive winner of the Craven Stakes at Newmarket on his three-year-old debut, the son of Azamour finished third behind Frankel in 2000 Guineas and fifth behind Pour Moi in the Investec Derby at Epsom. He disappointed on his final start for Ed Dunlop when only seventh in the Irish Derby at this meeting 12 months ago and Murtagh, who was on board the colt on his last two starts, is looking forward to seeing him return to action. He said: "I know Native Khan from last year, so that's a bit of an advantage. "This looks a nice trip to start him back at, but I'm not sure he'd want the ground this soft, so that's a worry. "This is his first run for us. There hasn't been a problem, John has just given him plenty of time to come to himself. "I imagine he'll be targeted at the major races at the back end of the season." Native Khan will certainly have to be on his game if he is to make a winning return as he faces Dermot Weld's 16-time winner Famous Name, who has landed this Group Three prize for two of the last three years. Aidan O'Brien's Windsor Palace drops in grade after being employed as a pacemaker behind Frankel the last twice. Bob Le Beau, Defining Year and Sweet Lightning complete the field.
