Trumpet Major: will be suited by the drying conditions at the Curragh

PICTURE: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

WITH less than 24 hours until the Abu Dhabi Irish 2,000 Guineas, connections of Trumpet Major expressed their delight at the drying conditions and believe the firmer ground will give the Richard Hannon-trained colt a better chance of claiming Classic glory.

Fourth in the English equivalent, Trumpet Major is a 7-1 chance for Saturday’s race and ran out an emphatic winner of the Craven on similar ground.

But all three wins at two came on good to firm and his owner John Manley, who also had Dick Turpin, is hopeful more favourable conditions can see him win his first Classic.

Manley said: “I had some near misses in the big races with DickTurpin, so it would be lovely to win this one. The whole camp is pretty bullish and if we get top of the ground we’ll be delighted.

“He did a piece of work on Tuesday that Mr [Richard] Hannon described as brilliant and Richard Hughes thinks we have a very good chance.”

Manley was reacting to the news that the ground at the Curragh had dried to good, good to firm in places on Friday.

Speaking on Friday afternoon, racecourse manager Paul Hensey said: “We’ve had another warm, sunny day. We’re not expecting any rain and I’d imagine we’ll be looking at good to firm ground tomorrow.

“We decided not to water the straight course as there is a good cover of grass and most of the course is genuinely good. We did some selective watering of the round track which is always that bit quicker.

“We don’t race on the round course until Sunday and we will decide tomorrow whether we will water the straight andthe round after racing with Sunday in mind.”

One horse thought not to be suited by the faster going isHermival, whose win came on ground described as heavy and is yet to encounter going quicker than good to soft.

He was usurped as second-favourite by the Aidan O’Brien-trained Power on Friday, who is now 4-1 with Ladbrokes.

On the eve of the first Irish Classic, Power’s stablemate and Derby favourite Camelot was trimmed by BetVictor to 4-6 to claim success at Epsom. He is now the shortest he has been as money continues to come for the 2,000 Guineas winner.