Hannon's Hoping to Raise Gold Standard

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Byline: MARCUS TOWNEND

DUBAWI GOLD, runnerup to Frankel in the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket, is 6-4 favourite for Saturday's Irish equivalent.

The Richard Hughes-ridden colt will attempt to give trainer Richard Hannon his fourth win in The Curragh Classic after Don't Forget Me (1987), Tirol (1990) and Canford Cliffs last year.

Dubawi Gold, supplemented to the race for 32,500 euros, faces a maximum of eight rivals after it emerged the Michael Dods-trained Ashva had been declared in error and Aidan O'Brien's Zoffany was ruled out after suffering a bout of colic.

Dubawi Gold is also chasing a first Classic for owner Andrew Tinkler, CEO of haulage giant …