Golden Gallop For Horn

Anthony Oppenheimer homebred Golden Horn (GB) (Cape Cross {Ire}), who will contest next Saturday’s G1 Irish Champion S. is the ground at Leopardstown does not come up too soft, pleased trainer John Gosden in a piece of work Saturday. The G1 Epsom Derby and G1 Coral-Eclipse winner, partnered by jockey Frankie Dettori, worked 7 1/2 furlongs on Newmarket’s Rowley Mile in company with stablemate Dick Doughtywylie (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}).

“I just wanted him to do some work where he joined with him [Dick Doughtywylie] at the 2 1/2 [furlong point] and stayed with him in the dip, then quickened up the hill, which is what he did,” Gosden explained. “I just wanted to hold him down into the dip and then lengthen away when he met the rising ground, which is what he did as it was a piece of work not a race. It was a satisfactory piece of work and they went a solid clip as usual.”

Dettori added, “it all went well and, just like John said, it was good to do something different with him. That will put the edge on him for Saturday.”

Of his prospect’s charges of starting next weekend, Gosden said, “I’m very happy to run him on good to soft, but if it goes soft he will not run. They’re calling it good at the moment and I think it will remain that way no matter what, but Leopardstown drains better than any other track in Ireland.”