Prendergast hopeful of Doncaster glory

Kevin Prendergast is hoping to emulate his father, the great Paddy Prendergast, in the Racing Post Trophy at Doncaster toomorrow.

It is a long time since the Prendergast family sent a two-year-old over for the final Group One of the season and the unbeaten Dunboyne Express carries plenty of confidence into the race.

Paddy Prendergast won the race twice in three years with the brilliant filly Noblesse in 1962 and Hardicanute in 1964.

"He got to Doncaster early on Friday morning and the lads tell me he travelled well so everything is good, hopefully," said Prendergast, whose colt has not run since July.

"The ground should be perfect for everyone, there shouldn't be any complaints.

"He's been working well at home. He beat Master Of Hounds a head on his first run so it will be interesting to see who has progressed the most.

"He had a fair setback, he got an infection in his leg which kept him off for three weeks but I think he's straight enough.

"I've never had a runner in this race, but I definitely remember my father winning it with Noblesse, she was a good winner.

"It would be a grand way to end the season, but it doesn't always happen the way you want it.

"The O'Brien pair are very nice horses, Seville is very nice as is Master Of Hounds, but I don't know much about the English, although Ed Dunlop's seems to be a nice horse.

"There is usually something sticking off the page but there doesn't seem to be this year."

Declan McDonogh will be riding Dunboyne Express and could not be happier with his recent homework.

"I always ride Dunboyne Express, whether he is doing a canter or fast work, so I've been on him every morning as he prepared for tomorrow's Racing Post Trophy at Doncaster," he said in his column in the Irish Independent.

"I couldn't be happier with him. He did his last piece of work on Tuesday and came through it fine.

"While you can't ever be confident going into a Group One, Dunboyne Express has done nothing but please us.

"He is two from two and his form is solid, but he is stepping up to a mile for a first time and he is also stepping up in class. So long as he runs his race, he should be right there at the finish."

Michael Halford reports Beresford Stakes winner Casamento in top form as he looks to end his season on a high.

"He arrived safe and sound at Doncaster and had a good trip there," said Halford.

"Right from the very first day he worked he showed something. We've always liked him.

"Shamardal is a terrific stallion, he's had a wonderful year and they can handle the softer ground, we wouldn't be worried about that. He relaxes in his races and stamina is probably his forte.

"We've been very pleased with him, everything has gone great and I'm looking forward to it.

"I have a lot of respect for the opposition. They are all good horses. Dunboyne Express looked impressive earlier in the season, he had a bit of a hold-up but I hear they are very sweet on him and I wouldn't take anything for granted.

"The team at Ballydoyle are always very strong. They have a great record in the race and I believe their horses are working well.

"I'm very happy with our own horse and I wouldn't swap him for anything."

Colm O'Donoghue is looking for his second Group One within a week after going to Canada to partner Joshua Tree in the Woodbine International.

He has the ride on Aidan O'Brien's Seville, with Johnny Murtagh on Master Of Hounds.

"He won really well last time but obviously this is a big step up for him," said O'Donoghue.

"He did it nicely and he seems to be getting hold of things late on, the last furlong saw him do his best work which is a lovely sign to see. I'm delighted to get the ride and I'm looking forward to it."

Ed Dunlop is delighted to have secured the services of champion jockey-elect Paul Hanagan to ride Native Khan.

The youngster will put his unbeaten record on the line on Town Moor on Saturday, but will have a new partner with previous pilots Eddie Ahern and Kieren Fallon both unavailable.

Hanagan teamed up with his big-race mount in a gallop at Dunlop's yard on Wednesday morning and the trainer is delighted to report all went perfectly.

"It was a useful exercise having Paul down as Native Khan can be a bit lazy at home, and the getting-to-know-you session is all both horse and rider need," he told his website, www.edunlop.com.

"Being such a good-actioned individual, Native Khan will appreciate it if the going continues to dry out.

"On paper it might not look so tough as the Dewhurst, but it is still very competitive and both the Irish horses (Casamento and Dunboyne Express) have solid credentials, as does Brian Meehan's Titus Mills.

"Paul has ridden some good winners for us, so I am delighted to have him on board, and they seemed to hit it off straight away which is encouraging."

Native Khan runs in the colours of Turkish owners Vefa Ibrahim Araci and his daughter, Pinar, and the latter admits she is living the dream.

"We came to England in 1997 and I completed my university degree at Reading, but we have since moved back to Turkey, where since 2008 we have had a stud farm at Izmit, where we have 55 horses," said Pinar.

"Native Khan winning at Newmarket's July meeting was very special as, besides my father, my mother and sister were also there and if that was not exciting enough, we were then all at Sandown for the Solario Stakes.

"Native Khan is the translation of my grandfather's name. He was truly a great man and was loved by all, and it is only fitting that the horse we named after him is looking pretty special too.

"Now we all have our fingers crossed. Looking ahead, perhaps the dream will continue through the winter."