Upbeat Best Targets Native Glory

John Best is delighted with juvenile sprinting sensation Kingsgate Native ahead of his next big test in Sunday's Prix de l'Abbaye at Longchamp.

Having had to settle for two close seconds on his first two forays to the track, the son of Mujadil put 15 of his elders to the sword in the Nunthorpe at York.

Connections have kept him off the course since that success and just hope the draw in stall nine will not prevent him achieving a notable double in Paris.

'To be favourite for a Group One is an amazing feeling and I am looking forward to it,' Best enthused.

'Whether we'll win or not, I don't know, and I think you're usually better off being drawn low.

'I'd rather have been somewhere between three and six as that's what I was told would be ideal. We can't complain with nine ? it could have been a lot worse.'

Kingsgate Native won the Nunthorpe on good ground and Best is not unduly worried about underfoot conditions at Longchamp.

'I wouldn't be too worried if the ground was just on the easy side, I'd rather it was like that than end up dead,' he added.

'I couldn't be happier with the horse and the build-up couldn't have worked out better. He's coming absolutely spot-on for us coming up to the race.

'He seems to have come right back to his best and has done some really nice pieces of work this week.

'We're ready for action.'

William Hill have installed Best's charge as their 15-8 favourite for the five-furlong showpiece, with the Tracey Collins-trained Dandy Man next in the list at 9-2.

Prix de l'Abbaye, William Hill bet: 15-8 Kingsgate Native, 9-2 Dandy Man, 6-1 Benbaun, Desert Lord, 10-1 Beauty Is Truth, 12-1 Hoh Mike, Moss Vale, 14-1 Peace Offering, 33-1 Sonny Red, Tiza, 40-1 Derison, Patavellian, 50-1 Hogmaneigh, 66-1 New Girlfriend, 80-1 Strike Up The Band, 125-1 Kocooning, Tycoon's Hill.

(C) PA Sport