Tuesday 24 May 2016 16:27, UK
Trainer Darren Bunyan has Royal Ascot in mind for Mister Trader after his pleasing effort in the Listed Marble Hill Stakes at the Curragh.
The Hellvelyn colt stepped up from a comfortable maiden victory on the opening day of the turf season in March, also at the Curragh, to finish second to Aidan O'Brien's odds-on favourite Caravaggio at the weekend.
"He came out of the race very well. You wouldn't know he'd had a run, he was out for a pick of grass and he was bucking and kicking," reported Bunyan.
"The Coventry, the Norfolk and the Windsor Castle have always been on the agenda - he'll be entered in the three of those.
"We'll decide which one he'll run in closer to the time. I wouldn't be trying to find Caravaggio next time as you take the easiest route you can go.
"The Ballydoyle horse is exceptional, but I think our lad is, too. We didn't see the best of him the other day. He's a very, very tough individual as well."
Curragh-based Bunyan sees the biggest days as still being ahead for the Straight To Victory Syndicate-owned Mister Trader.
He added: "Our fella will be a better horse on better ground.
"I was delighted with him on Saturday for more than one reason. He just ran a bit gassy with Leigh (Roche) early, but obviously he hadn't run for two months. He was just a bit too fresh and well in himself.
"As well as that, about a hundred yards from the line I don't know whether he hit a false patch or what it was, but he ended up on the wrong leg. That cost him a little bit of momentum and gave the other lad the edge. I'm not saying it was the winning or losing of the race, but it was no help to the cause.
"If you look at the time of the race, it's nearly two seconds quicker than standard for that ground.
"He's a hell of a horse and on better ground you could step him up in trip - you could go six with him no issue. In both his races he's quickened and stayed to the line.
"The big thing with him, though, is that he has a massive amount of early speed. He does things so easy early that it's unreal. He's as fast a two-year-old as I've come across - he burns up other horses with that early speed. He's a fairly exciting horse to have."
