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- Smullen looking forward to Famous ride
Smullen looking forward to Famous ride
Pat Smullen is looking forward to riding Famous Name in Satu day's Keeneland International Stakes at the Curragh.
Runner-up behind the high-class Vision D'Etat in the French Derby last season, connections tried him over a variety of trips before he bolted up over a mile last time.
This Group Three event is over a furlong further but Smullen expects Dermot Weld's charge to excel over it.
"He was very impressive the last day and I'm looking forward to riding him," said Smullen.
"He's a very good horse, he was only just beaten in the French Derby and he has a lot of class.
"When he gets his right conditions he is very, very good and that is what he proved the last day, he couldn't have been more impressive.
"Hopefully it will be similar conditions at the weekend and he's an exciting horse I'm looking forward to riding.
"He's got plenty of pace and he's not a slow horse. I know we were badly drawn in the French Derby and it cost us the race, but I thought at the line he was running out of stamina.
"He dropped back in trip the last day and I think he is running over his best trip, a mile and one (on Saturday)."
Smullen also rides Weld's Mad About You in the Keeneland Minstrel Stakes, another Group Three contest.
Having placed four times at the highest level, she boasts some top-notch form.
"She's a Group Three winner already this season and her performances last year were top class at the top level," he told At The Races.
"The race is tailor-made for her and I'm looking forward to it."