Madhmoon 'couldn't be better' ahead of Leopardstown return on Thursday

It's a case of all systems go for Derby runner–up Madhmoon ahead of Thursday's Group 3 Desmond Stakes at Leopardstown, with Kevin Prendergast's charge warming up for a tilt at the Qipco Irish Champion Stakes at the Dublin venue next month.

Hamdan Al Maktoum's talented three-year-old couldn't land a blow when fourth to shock winner Sovereign in the Irish Derby in late June, and now drops back in trip to a mile for the Invesco Pension Consultants–backed contest next week.

Kevin Prendergast said of his stable star: "He runs on Thursday and couldn't be better."

The Group 2-winning juvenile has yet to notch a victory this season, but fared well from a low draw when fourth to Magna Grecia in the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket and battled well over a mile and a half at Epsom behind Anthony Van Dyck having got lit up after clipping heels off the home bend.

Prendergast added that the son of Dawn Approach should have no issues with the drop in trip, saying "He won over the trip as a two-year-old and ran well when giving 3lb to the Madrid Handicap winner [Never No More] over seven furlongs on his first start of the season. Hopefully he'll be fine."

Madhmoon, who will be partnered by regular rider Chris Hayes, won't have a penalty to carry on his return and is at least 5lb superior to all other entrants on ratings, with Suedois closest to him on 112.

Get exclusive insight from the track and live tipping with our up-to-the-minute service on racingpost.com and the Racing Post mobile app