O'Brien happy with High Definition

Trainer Aidan O'Brien says High Definition is in good shape ahead of Saturday's Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby at the Curragh. 

The Ballydoyle handler is the most successful trainer in this race, claiming the spoils 14 times, and he will be hoping to make it a hat-trick of victories following wins for Sovereign and Santiago in 2019 and 2020 respectively. 

O'Brien also saddles Van Gogh, Wordsworth, Arturo Toscanini and Matchless although his main hope of a win looks to be in the shape of High Definition, who was last seen finishing third in the Dante Stakes at York last month. 

Speaking about the three-year-old colt, O'Brien said: "High Definition has been in good form since the Dante - everything has gone well with him since then. 

"Obviously when he wasn't going to Epsom, it was decided this was the plan. I think he's versatile ground-wise, but we think the better the ground, the better it will suit him."

Burrows hopeful of Newcastle success

Trainer Owen Burrows says the surface at Newcastle will not be an issue for Tabdeed in the Chipchase Stakes at Newcastle on Saturday. 

Tabdeed, owned by Shadwell Estate Company Ltd, has endured a topsy-turvy career but there have been enough performances to suggest he can challenge for major honours. 

A highlight for the six-year-old last season was when he beat The Tin Man to win the Hackwood Stakes, while a low point was the 13th-place finish in the Haydock Sprint Cup on his last outing. 

It is sure to be an interesting ride for jockey David Probert, who last partnered the gelding in 2017, but Burrows is feeling optimistic about the chances of his charge coming out on top. 

He said: "It's well documented he's not been the easiest — but he ran well there last year, trying to give Glen Shiel weight in a handicap, so that was probably nigh on impossible.

"We know that he acts there on the surface, so you don't have to worry about it being too quick or too soft." 

King aware of Newcastle ask

Alan King says it is a "huge ask" for Trueshan to win the Northumberland Plate at Newcastle on Saturday given the fact he will be carrying top weight. 

Trueshan was a three-time winner last season, picking up victories at Haydock, Salisbury and Ascot, and he made a promising start to the current campaign when ending up second at Chester in the Ormonde Stakes. 

A planned outing at Royal Ascot was thwarted due to fast ground and connections made the decision to send the five-year-old north for the most prestigious race of Newcastle's season. 

Speaking about the task facing Trueshan, King said: "It's a huge ask on Saturday, I know that, but I'm just desperate to get a run into him. It's a long time to wait for Goodwood, and if it was quick ground there and he couldn't run again — you can't keep them on the boil forever. 

"We'll take our chance and see what happens. At least we know the surface will suit." 

No Sunday issues for Cartmel

Cartmel clerk of the course Anthea Leigh does not anticipate any problems for Sunday's card at the Cumbrian track despite heavy rain forcing Friday's meeting to be abandoned. 

Sunday's seven-race card starts at 1.40pm and speaking about the chances of this going ahead, Leigh said: "The forecast is for the rain to clear this afternoon and then be dry with sunny intervals for Saturday and Sunday. 

"Knowing the track, I don't anticipate any problems for Sunday, but we've had to call off today [Friday]."