Hermival's Major task
Hermival is an intended starter in Saturday's Abu Dhabi Irish 2000 Guineas at the Curragh where he'll once again cross swords with Trumpet Major.
Last Updated: 22/05/12 2:09pm
Mikel Delzangles has confirmed that Hermival is set to line up in Saturday's Abu Dhabi Irish 2000 Guineas at the Curragh.
The three-year-old is the current favourite for the Irish Classic with most bookmakers after his excellent third behind Camelot in the QIPCO 2000 Guineas at Newmarket earlier this month.
His performance deserves even more credit as he was part of only a small group of horses that raced on the far side of the Rowley Mile and Delzangles is hopeful he can show further improvement in Ireland this weekend.
"It was a very good run at Newmarket. It was only his third start and he did very well," said the French trainer.
"Gregory (Benoist, jockey) thought it was definitely a disadvantage (being on the far side) as he had to take the lead as the other horses were a bit tired.
"He did nearly two furlongs on his own on the far side and for an inexperienced horse like him, it was a bit difficult.
"He's definitely going to travel (to Ireland). He did his last piece of work on Monday and everything went well.
"He's been doing very well, he recovered very quickly (after Newmarket) and I hope he's improved a bit.
"We were debating whether to go to the Curragh or to go for the French Derby, but for now, I think he is better staying at a mile. He looks like a miler more than anything else."
Further Back
Just one place further back in fourth at Newmarket was Richard Hannon's Craven Stakes winner Trumpet Major.
He is due to renew rivalries with Hermival this weekend and assistant trainer Richard Hannon junior is pleased to see the sun is shining in the Emerald Isle.
"The ground looks like it's going to dry out and if he turns up the same horse as he was at Newmarket two weeks ago, he'd have to have a good chance," Hannon junior told At The Races.
"It's not going to be an easy race but it certainly looks like a good opportunity for him.
"He won a Group Two last year, but I didn't think he'd win the Craven with a penalty the way he did.
"He looked for a long way as though he was going to win the Guineas, but the ground just found him out.
"He's a very good horse and if he's fit and well and the ground dries out, why not have a go?"
Tilting At Windmills
One British challenger who will go off at much bigger odds is the Bryan Smart-trained Foxtrot Romeo.
The Hamilton maiden winner was last seen finishing fourth behind Caspar Netscher in the Mill Reef Stakes at Newbury in September, but his recent homework has been impressing Smart.
He said: "I was very disappointed I didn't get him to the English Classic (2000 Guineas) as he got a bit of a cough and he went through a bit of a growing stage.
"But he's been working exceptionally well, his form is very good and he's a full-brother to Misu Bond and Air Chief Marshal.
"He's a very good horse and last year he was just a big baby. He's improved and he looks like a racehorse now.
"We've always thought the world of him and he looks like he should get the mile.
"He's as fit as I can get him without a run and I'm over the moon with him, so we'll give it a whirl."