Lonsdale the next step for Trip To Paris
The Lonsdale Cup is the next step on Trip To Paris' comeback trail and Dunlop is hoping he can produce a big performance with his preparation having gone well
ED DUNLOP accepts Trip To Paris "lacks a bit of match practice" ahead of the Weatherbys Hamilton Lonsdale Cup at York on Friday.
Last season's Gold Cup winner has only just returned to the track from a troubling injury, but he showed plenty of verve on his comeback to finish third over an inadequate trip at Newbury in July.
Dunlop said: "We brought him back gently and carefully after his injury and he was not wound up for the occasion.
"We've been pleased with him since his run and, touch-wood, he's had no issues going into the Lonsdale Cup.
"He still shows his enthusiasm and looks to have retained the ability he showed last year - he's where we want him.
"It's his first run back in a staying race after a tendon injury, so there's always that in the back of one's mind, but he he's had a very clear run, looks very well and is a fresh horse.
"If he hadn't had an injury then you would say he should be a short-priced favourite but he lacks a bit of match practice.
"Friday is about bringing this horse back after a serious injury and learning more about how we are getting on with him."
Future plans for Trip To Paris remain undecided but another crack at the Melbourne Cup, in which he finished fourth last year, has not been discounted.
The Newmarket handler said: "He has an entry in the Caulfield Cup, the Qipco British Champions Long Distance Cup, the Irish St Leger and the Melbourne Cup is under consideration.
"He's in all the right races but we will let the horse tell us where he should go."
Melbourne is also on the radar of Wicklow Brave, who finished fourth in the Goodwood Cup on his most recent outing.
Trainer Willie Mullins hopes a big run in the Group Two at York can help to enhance his profile for the big race in November.
He said: "You've got to have Melbourne on your mind. If I get a horse qualified to run, then that's where I'm going.
"The Lonsdale is a tough race to win but a first-three finish gives us a great chance."
Quest For More was two places behind Wicklow Brave at Goodwood and has also been declared for the Lonsdale by Roger Charlton.
Harry Charlton, the Beckhampton handler's son and assistant, said: "We went to Goodwood hoping to be in the first three but it rained about an hour before and made the ground quite slippery.
"Big Orange has probably proven he's about 3lb better than us but we should have been closer.
"He lost his confidence going round the bends and ended up much further back than he likes to be.
"The plan was to be just sat off the pace but on every bend he lost ground.
"We know he runs well at York but we're slightly worried about the forecast showers."
Peter Niven will have no such concerns for Clever Cookie, who has such a good record on the Knavesmire and won the Yorkshire Cup in May.
David Simcock's Curbyourenthusiasm was runner-up that day and renews rivalry, while Goodwood Cup second Pallasator is also in the hunt for the Sir Mark Prescott team.
Suegioo completes the field for Richard Fahey.
