Black Sam Bellamy set to make a quick return
However, he finally came good in Group One company in the Gran Premio del Jockey Club e Coppa d’Oro in Milan at the weekend, and could be set to take make a quick reappearance on Sunday.
The Ballydoyle maestro is eyeing the French St Leger, the Prix Royal-Oak at Longchamp for the Sadler’s Wells colt and said yesterday: ‘‘Black Sam Bellamy appears to have come out of his race in Milan well and he might go to the French St Leger at Longchamp on Sunday.
‘‘But I want to keep an eye on him for a day or two before we commit to that.’’
Black Sam Bellamy made virtually all in Italy under a tremendous ride from Michael Kinane, showing great tenacity to battle back when headed by Guadalupe inside the final furlong.
Florida Pearl remains a possible runner in the James Nicholson Wine Merchant Champion Chase at Down Royal next month.
Willie Mullins’ star chaser enjoyed arguably his best season yet last term, including an emotional success in the Pertemps King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day.
Should he run at the Northern Irish track, it would be the 10-year-old’s fourth outing in the valuable event, which has received Grade One status for the first time this year.
He beat Doran’s Pride in 1999, was fourth to Looks Like Trouble in 2000, and third to Foxchapel King last year.
‘‘Florida Pearl is in good form and it is possible he will take his chance,’’ Mullins said today.
And the trainer also confirmed Smurfit Champion Hurdle fancy Davenport Milenium is on course for Down Royal.
The six-year-old will be entered for the Anglo Irish Bank Hurdle on the first day of the meeting, a race won last year by Ned Kelly, who finished behind Davenport Milenium in the Emo Oil Champion Hurdle at Punchestown in April.
That was Davenport Milenium’s second win at the meeting as two days earlier he had won the Menolly Homes Champion Novice Hurdle.
John Gosden’s High Praise turned the tables on Welcome Millenium in the Group Three Prix des Reservoirs at Deauville yesterday.
The Manton raider, a place behind Welcome Millenium when third in the Prix d’Aumale on his latest start, made most in the juvenile fillies’ feature.
High Praise was headed by the favourite going to the furlong pole but fought back to claim the spoils by a nose.
Dominique Boeuf’s mount was a 3.1-1 chance on the Pari-Mutuel.
Paul Cole’s Sindy, looking ill at ease on the holding ground, was a well-beaten seventh.
Meanwhile, Gosden’s Disco Volante is an acceptor for the Group Three Prix de Flore at Saint-Cloud on Friday, along with Geoff Wragg’s Miss Corniche.
