One Cool Cat may revert to sprinting at Curragh
The Aidan O'Brien-trained colt, sent off as favourite for the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket in May only to beat one home, is one of 15 entries for the Group Three Patrick P O'Leary Memorial Phoenix Sprint Stakes over six furlongs.
One Cool Cat was found to be suffering from an irregular heartbeat after the race and he then missed the Irish equivalent after a routine scope revealed a low-grade infection.
The son of Storm Cat returned to action at the Curragh last month, but was again a costly failure for odds-on backers as he finished fifth of seven in the International Stakes over a mile, leaving O'Brien stunned.
Possible rivals include Ashdown Express, although Chris Wall's July Cup runner-up is more likely to head to the Prix Maurice de Gheest at Deauville the same day.
O'Brien has also entered Grand Reward and Newton, while British contenders at the possibles stage are the Mick Channon trio Millbag, Nights Cross and Royal Millennium, Hughie Morrison's Ruby Rocket, Alan Berry's Simianna and the David Evans-trained The Kiddykid.
Elsewhere on the card Damson, ante-post favourite for next year's 1000 Guineas, will face a maximum of 16 opponents in the Group One Independent Waterford Wedgwood Phoenix Stakes.
David Wachman's unbeaten juvenile leapt to the head of the Classic market after slaughtering a high-class field in the Queen Mary Stakes.
The daughter of Entrepreneur showed an electric turn of foot to beat subsequent Princess Margaret Stakes winner Soar by three lengths in a race which is working out extremely well.
O'Brien's Carnegie Hall could give her a stern examination as the Danehill colt was an impressive winner of his maiden at this track last month.
Big Bad Bob, Fruhlingssturm, Gatwick, Imperial Dancer and Muqbil are all potential British runners against 2002 Melbourne Cup hero Media Puzzle in the 10-furlong Royal Whip Stakes.
Meanwhile, John Oxx reports his crack miler Azamour bang on target for the Juddmonte International at York on August 17.
The son of Night Shift is likely to clash with Rakti and French ace Bago in what promises to be a fascinating renewal of the Group One highlight.
Oxx has been happy with Azamour since he won the St James's Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot and is looking forward to seeing his charge try a mile and a quarter for the first time.
"He's in good form and all is well with him he's still on course for York," said Oxx.
"We're looking forward to it and hopefully the increase in distance will suit him well, but until they do it you don't know for sure, especially against opposition like that.
"But indications are he'd be happier going more than a mile and he seems to be progressing the right way."
Azamour caught the eye when a fast-finishing third to Haafhd on his seasonal reappearance in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket in May. He was favourite to land the Irish equivalent on his next start but was beaten a length into second by Bachelor Duke.
However, the vibes were strong before the Royal meeting and he proved some shrewd money correct by beating Diamond Green a neck, with his Guineas conquerors in arrears.
Azamour forms part of a dual raid on the Knavesmire's big prizes for the Currabeg handler, with Hazarista booked for the Aston Upthorpe Yorkshire Oaks the following day.
The Barathea filly ran the race of her life to chase home Ouija Board and Punctilious in the Irish Oaks, beaten a length and three-parts of a length.
"She's come out of the Curragh race well and that's the plan for her if things go well in the meantime," Oxx said.
"We were in the dark about her capabilities and her ability to get the trip before the Oaks, so we were delighted with the run. We couldn't have been more pleased."
Hazarista is likely to face a rematch with both Ouija Board and Punctilious at York and Oxx added: "The winner won with a bit in hand I thought, she won a little cosily. She'll be hard to beat, but hopefully we'll improve a little bit more. We can be more confident about the trip now."
