Good Ground Needed For Alamshar

John Oxx is hoping for a dry week at the Curragh so his Budweiser Irish Derby hope Alamshar can take his chance in the Classic.

Connections have warned that if the ground came up soft at the Curragh then the Vodafone Derby third could miss the Irish equivalent on Sunday week.

'He is due to work tomorrow when I get back but we are looking for this type of weather for him,' Oxx told attheraces as he walked the course at a sun drenched Ascot.

'This good to firm ground is the sort of ground we´d like to have at the Curragh.'

Alamshar was beaten a length and a short head by Kris Kin and The Great Gatsby at Epsom and has taken his exertions well.

'He bounced out of the race very, very well,' Oxx revealed.

'He was home early on the Saturday evening and was very fresh and well the next day. He has been very well since then thank goodness so we are very happy with the horse at the moment.'

The County Kildare trainer believes the Aga Khan´s colt will be more at home on his local course than when tackling the unique undulations of Epsom.

He said: 'I think the Curragh will suit him. Epsom doesn´t suit any horse - the best horse overcomes it best. They´ll all prefer a different track that is for sure.

'We expect a lot from horses very early in their lives. It was only his fifth run and the winner was having only his fourth run and here we are asking them to deal with Epsom very well.

'So I think he´ll improve for the experience and he should be on the upgrade.

'I´m sure the first four at Epsom will continue to improve. It just remains to be seen which goes on and improves the most.'

The going on the Derby course at the Curragh was today described as 'beautiful' by manager Paul Hensey.

He said: 'It is good to firm on the round course - the Derby track - and it is good ground on the straight course.

'It´s beautiful ground on the Derby track. It is ground that hasn´t been raced on since this time last year so it is very nice ground.'

The Aga Khan could also be represented by his unbeaten French Derby winner Dalakhani in the Curragh Classic while Kris Kin, who is not entered in the race, will need to be supplemented by midday on Tuesday at a cost of 95,000 euros (#66,000) to owner Saeed Suhail.