John and Sean Quinn believe their star sprinter JM Jungle is returning to the boil after a pleasing third at York.
The son of Bungleinthejungle had long been a consistent handicapper, rarely finishing out of the placings in strong events. He landed the Epsom Dash last season, prior to finishing third at York in the Listed City Walls Stakes.
His first foray into group company was a winning one, as he landed the Qatar Stakes by a neck. Though winless since, a similar prep at York signalled a return to the winners enclosure with Goodwood around the corner.
Speaking to the Press Association, via Racing TV, John Quinn said: “We’re hoping it sets him up well and I think it was a well above average Listed race.
“The second was third at a Breeders’ Cup and the winner is an improver. There was also a Grade One winner in the race who was behind us. Albeit he didn’t get the best run through the race.”
“His figures this year don’t really do him justice” – John Quinn
JM Jungle is 0-6 since Goodwood, but he’s ran creditably this season. He’s not been far away in all four races, including beaten three lengths at Royal Ascot.
Quinn continued, stating: “We were very pleased with our horse and he’s come out of the race really well. His figures this year don’t really do him justice. But he ran great at Royal Ascot in the King Charles III. And he also ran great first time in the Palace House.
“The main thing is he has come out of York well and we’re pleased with that. He’s won a handicap at Goodwood as well as the Group race last year. So he’s going there as a dual course winner and we’re looking forward to it.”
Off 108, handicaps are a distant memory now and Quinn is keen to stick to the group programme. “The plan is Goodwood, York, Curragh and we’ll probably put him in the Prix de l’Abbaye again. He didn’t get a draw there last year but if he got a draw I think he’d run well.”
The Quinn’s sprinters are finding their form, as Dark Thirty also produced a close effort at the Curragh on Sunday. Purchased for 25,000 GNS, he recouped that on his third start for the yard at York in May. He was then second in a valuable handicap at the Curragh, beaten half a length by fellow British trained Sondad.