Dunlop and Ahern hoping to end Group 1 drought.

CONTENDER Elusive Pimpernel JOHN DUNLOP acknowledges competition looks stiff as the unbeaten Elusive Pimpernel attempts to enhance his Classic pretensions in the Racing Post Trophy, in which his trainer seeks his first Group 1 win for seven years.

Eddie Ahern wouldn't swap Elusive Pimpernel for any other runner in today's Group 1 finale. The colt has done all that has been asked of him in his two starts this season, getting off the mark in a Newmarket maiden before coming home fast and late to grab the spoils in the Group 3 Acomb Stakes at York.

One of five unbeaten horses in the race, he has been kept for today's showpiece at Doncaster, where the step up to a mile and easier ground are expected to prove beneficial, though the colt - a general 20-1 chance for the Investec Derby - did lower the juvenile course record when beating Emerald Commander and Poet's Voice in August.

Dunlop said: "The horse is absolutely fine. It's obviously an interesting race, a very difficult race and a very competitive one."

Dunlop last won the Racing Post Trophy with Beauchamp King in 1995, while the Acomb Stakes has produced future winners of the race in Palace Episode (2005) and Saratoga Springs (1997).

Despite 25 years in the sport and more than 100 successes as an owner-breeder, Cristina Patino, whose horses race under the name of Windflower Overseas Holdings Inc, had never had a Group win until Elusive Pimpernel won at York, while it is ten years since Ahern rode his only Group 1 win.

"I really like him," said the jockey. "He's a good horse and I am really looking forward to the race.

"I've ridden only one Group 1 winner and that was a long time ago, and I haven't ridden a Group 1 winner in England - lots of Group 2s and 3s, but a Group 1 is the one that I really want, and this is my last chance this year." Jon Lees

CAPTION(S):

Elusive Pimpernel: "He's absolutely fine," says trainer John Dunlop