Joseph O'Brien saddles first runner on the Fibresand at Southwell

When Joseph Patrick O’Brien travels a horse the destination is usually a glamorous setting such as Ascot, Flemington or Santa Anita, but on Tuesday evening he will break new ground by saddling his first runner on the Fibresand at Southwell.

Dune Of Pilat (4.55), a Dundalk maiden scorer in December, will be prohibitive odds to land the five-runner mile novice stakes with apprentice Shane Crosse set for his second ride in Britain aboard the Sun Bloodstock-owned colt.

The three-year-old cost €340,000 as a yearling at the Arqana Deauville sale in 2018 and is entered in the Investec Derby.

O’Brien said: "He's a nice colt and won his maiden well last time. We think the race is suitable for him but obviously we don't know about how he'll cope with the surface. He's an American-bred so there's a chance he might handle it.

“We're hoping for a good run. It's a suitable opportunity as the timing is good and we might learn a bit more about him."

Dune Of Pilat: a winner at Dundalk last timeCredit: Patrick McCann

Southwell’s executive director Mark Clayton believes Dune Of Pilat will be the first horse trained by the O'Brien family at the Nottinghamshire track since Joseph’s father Aidan brought the likes of Giant’s Causeway, Galileo and Declaration Of War to gallop on the Fibresand in preparation for their Breeders’ Cup Classic outings.

Clayton said on Monday: “It was great to see Dune Of Pilat among the declarations on Sunday and we’re delighted to welcome Joseph’s first runner.

“Joseph’s team arrived at 5am this morning and hopefully he might send a few more runners over as time goes by. If Dune Of Pilat turns out to be anything as good as the last O’Brien horses we saw here we could be in for something special!”

Among the other horses on show is Ayr Gold Cup third Gulliver (5.55), who returns in the feature £20,000 6f handicap on the seven-race card.

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