There has never been a European winner of the Kentucky in its 136 running’s.

In fact rarely have European trainers taken on the challenge. The degree of difficulty associated with preparing a horse to peak in early May on dirt after a harsh European winter is enough to put most off. Adding to the surface concerns is the issue of having to beat the best American three year olds which have been primed for the occasion.

This year that challenge is again taken on by Aidan O’Brien ten years after his first attempt with Johannesburg in 2001.

Master Of Hounds with Gareth Gomez aboard will represent Ballydoyle in John Magnier’s navy silks tonight at Churchill Downs.

His race record reads one from seven. On the face of it, that’s not encouraging though on closer inspection you can see why Aidan O’Brien would attempt such a difficult task with this horse.

The colt while missing the dartboard brings some very interesting experience into the race. As a two year old he boasted very good form with the top juveniles in Europe prior to a run in the Breeders Cup Juvenile at Churchill Downs last November. He wasn’t beaten that far in sixth and at the tail end of the season it was a good run.

His reintroduction this year on Meydan’s tapeta surface left a very good impression when beaten a nose in the UAE Derby. You would, as is often the case with Aidan’s runners, expect an improvement from his first run of the season.

This week has seen team Ballydoyle sparkle. Since Yesterdays second in The 1000 Guineas on Sunday, he is four from four at Chester’s May meeting. St Nicholas Abbey’s victory in the Ormonde Stakes was the highlight where his devastating turn of foot last witnessed in the Racing Post Trophy returned.

Unlike Johannesburg, preparation of this colt has remained out of the limelight. There is no doubt that Master Of Hounds has been laid out for this race since his early juvenile day’s and with track experience, a proven traveller and the O’Brien camp in scintillating form you can expect a big Run for the Roses.

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