O’Brien leaves options open
The champion trainer has been enduring a rough period of late as his yard has been badly hit by the cough but he reports his older stable stars to be back on track now.
O’Brien had 15 horses among the original entries for the race but five of those have now emerged as possible runners.
Coral Eurobet Eclipse Stakes winner Hawk Wing, who was also second in the Sagitta 2000 Guineas and Vodafone Derby, is one of those possible runners at this stage along with his galloping companion Sholokov, who finished behind him in the Sandown Park event back in July.
The pair could run but if they are not quite right O’Brien could choose to reroute dual Derby winner High Chaparral to the Leopardstown race.
High Chaparral would be dropping back in trip to a mile and a quarter and should he run he is likely to be joined by his galloping companion Ice Dancer, who has not been seen since winning a Listed contest last October.
O’Brien may also run Castle Gandolfo who was sixth in the Prix du Jockey-Club at Chantilly last time out.
The trainer is planning to leave his decision until the last moment and said: ‘‘They are all still in work and everything will depend on how things go for a couple of days yet.
‘‘They are coming back off a break and seem well. High Chaparral is forward enough for Leopardstown if we need him.’’
One horse who seem unlikely to take on the Ballydoyle runners is Nayef who may miss the race according to trainer Marcus Tregoning.
The four-year-old won a thrilling renewal of the Juddmonte International Stakes last time out but may miss the one and a quarter mile Irish event. Tregoning also allayed any fears that Nayef is suffering from the cough that has affected some of his two-year-olds and said: ‘‘There’s a chance he may be left in the race tomorrow but it is likely that he won’t be going to Ireland.
‘‘He’s very well and in great shape but that’s as much as I can say. The horse is absolutely fine though.’’
Tregoning also revealed that plans for the remainder of the season have still to be decided on. ‘‘I am hoping to have a lengthy conversation with Sheikh Hamdan soon but we have not made any concrete plans for his next run yet,’’ he added.
Darley Irish Oaks winner Margarula could be supplemented for the race at a cost of 100,000 euro after the Wildenstein family bought a half share in the filly from Jim Bolger’s wife, Jackie.
The daughter of Doyoun was the longest-priced winner in the history of the Irish classic when winning at 33-1 and she went well in a gallop after racing at the Curragh on Sunday.
Although the Prix Vermeille is also an option, connections will have to make the decision on supplementing her at today’s confirmation stage.
Bolger said: ‘‘We will wait until the tomorrow’s deadline to see how she is before we make up our minds.
‘‘She’s in good form and worked nicely for her at the Curragh yesterday.’’
Meanwhile Whithworth Ben made his eagerly awaited hurdling debut a winning one when landing the John Earley Estate Agents Maiden Hurdle at Roscommon yesterday.
Under a confident ride by Ruby Walsh, the Pat Morris-trained six-year-old quickened well to beat Jurado Express and Active Member in smooth fashion.
Trainer Morris explained: “we’ve done plenty of schooling with him but he’ll improve a lot from the run. We’ve been working him left handed because we know that he’s better going the other way. I’ll be in no rush to find a novice hurdle for him after this good performance.”
Akash, ridden by Fran Berry continued John Oxx’s rich vein of form when justifying odds-on favouritism in the opening two-year-old maiden.
Champion jockey Pat Smullen recorded his 44th success of the campaign when Musical Stage, appreciating the drying ground, out-pointed Raydaniya in the Red Mills Maiden.
Robert Power, deputising for the injured Keith Hadnett brought Best Wait with a strong late surge to capture the Roscommon Oil Distributors Handicap Hurdle and trainer Tom Hogan might run his mare again in a fillies handicap at Leopardstown on Saturday.
Amateur Garrett Power picked up a seven day suspension for careless riding following an incident in the Bumper. Power’s mount Arctic Passage caused serious interference inside the final furlong which resulted in Pescetto Lady falling and bringing down Aizen Myoo.
Arctic Passage, which had finished third to the Francis Flood trained Georges Girl, was disqualified and placed fifth.
