Tag Archive for: Ed Dunlop

Dunlop ready to step up in class with Skukuza

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Ed Dunlop is excited to see what the future holds for Skukuza following a second successful raid on the Curragh.

Having won a valuable handicap on Guineas weekend, he returned on Sunday to win a Listed race even more impressively on the Irish Derby undercard.

His victories have come over a mile, but Dunlop would have no qualms stepping him up in trip, with his liking for a bit of ease in the ground meaning he could be doing more travelling.

“We always thought he was a decent horse, he obviously ran very well in the Britannia last year (second) but then had a hiccup and didn’t run again,” said Dunlop.

“He’s a horse that we need to protect from fast ground after that, which is why he’s been to Ireland twice. He’s improving and he’s becoming exciting.

“It was quick ground again at Ascot so we missed the Hunt Cup. It didn’t do him any good the year before, so we thought it wouldn’t do him any good this year.

“Obviously the Bunbury Cup will come too quick and he will have penalties for the others (International at Ascot and Golden Mile at Goodwood), so I’d have though handicaps are out now. I hope we’ll be looking at Group races now.

“There are various options but it’s too early to decide where next, we wouldn’t be scared of going up in trip. Ryan (Moore) was keen to go forward from his draw and that is the first time he’s made the running which was encouraging. He will go further in time, whether we need to yet, we’ll see. He’ll have options in France and England but we’ll be dictated by ground.

“He’s still a colt, he’s a homebred for Mrs (Gaynor) Rupert so it’s very exciting for her. It was a fantastic day.”

Skukuza gains second Curragh victory for Ed Dunlop

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Ed Dunlop’s Skukuza showed his liking for the Curragh once again when claiming the Colm McLoughlin Celebration Stakes.

The four-year-old had made a successful raid on a valuable handicap at the Kildare track on Irish 2,000 Guineas day but this time was back for Listed action and was sent off at 11-4 in the hands of Ryan Moore.

Quickly sent to the head of affairs by his big-race pilot, the Newmarket traveller never missed a beat on the front end as Moore dictated the pace before sending his mount on to secure a two-and-a-quarter-length victory over Johnny Murtagh’s Alakazi, with Paddy Twomey’s 2-1 favourite Currawood further back in third.

Robin Trevor Jones, travelling head lad to Ed Dunlop, said: “We ran him in the Britannia last year where he ran a great race (second) but it really jarred him up and we couldn’t risk him on that fast ground at Ascot this year.

“It was a brave decision not to run when you are one of the favourites for the Royal Hunt Cup but the plan has worked. He’s a Listed winner now so we are growing.

“Ryan really wanted to get a lead but he didn’t expect any pace on so he said I might have to make my own running which he did. The horse has never done that, but he did everything right and I think the further he went the further he was going to win.

“He likes coming back here for Classic days so maybe there is something for him on Oaks day!”