Surprise Matron date for Tapestry
Ireland’s champion trainer wants to run her on home soil and over a shorter trip following her shock victory over Taghrooda in the mile and a half Yorkshire Oaks.
“We probably wouldn’t like to travel her again for her next start, so it is very possible she’ll stay at home and it’s very possible she’ll run in the Matron (over a mile),” O’Brien told At The Races.
“We’d maybe rather stay at home and not go a mile and a half. She can step up in trip again after that.
“She’ll obviously have an option Arc weekend after that or she’ll have an option to miss that and go to America, so there’s a big chance she’ll stay home and go for the Matron.”
Last year’s Irish Oaks winner Chicquita is on course to make her eagerly-awaited seasonal debut in the Moyglare “Jewels” Blandford Stakes at the Curragh on September 14.
The filly was trained by Alain de Royer-Dupre when she landed the Curragh Classic and joined Aidan O’Brien’s Ballydoyle stable after being sold for six million euros at a dispersal sale at Goffs in November.
Should all go well on her comeback then she could go to Longchamp for either the Prix de l’Opera or the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.
“Everything has been going well so far and we will hopefully start her there,” said O’Brien.
Noble Mission is set to be at the forefront of a strong British representation in the €1 million Qipco Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown on September 13.
The five-year-old full brother to Frankel tasted Group One glory in the Tattersalls Gold Cup at the Curragh in May and crosses the Irish Sea on the back of near misses in France and Germany.
“The ground isn’t vital for him and it is not that he doesn’t handle good or faster ground, it is just that he handles soft ground better than others,” said owner Khalid Abdullah’s racing manager Teddy Grimthorpe.
“He looks in very good form. We are going to aim him at Leopardstown and I think a mile and a quarter is his best trip and the intention is to run.”
Trained by Lady Cecil, Noble Mission could be joined by Amralah, Western Hymn and possibly by last year’s runner-up Al Kazeem.
Al Kazeem only recently returned to the racecourse following a failed brief stud career, but showed he retains plenty of ability when landing the Group Three Winter Hill Stakes at Windsor.
“He is in very good order and I am very happy with him,” said his trainer Roger Charlton.
Brown Panther is being primed to go on a retrieval mission in the €300,000 Palmerstown House Estate Irish St Leger at the Curragh on September 14.
Two years ago, the Tom Dascombe-trained stayer was agonisingly beaten a head and a short head in third place behind Royal Diamond and Massiyn but missed the Classic last season after spiking a temperature.
Connections of the six-year-old, bred by co-owner Michael Owen, have targeted a second crack at this race since he finished third to Cavalryman in the Goodwood Cup.
“He seems fine and this race has been the plan since Goodwood,” said Dascombe.
Roger Varian is aiming Cursory Glance at Group One honours in the €300,000 Moyglare Stud Stakes on the same card.
The talented two-year-old filly, winner of Royal Ascot’s Albany Stakes and second in the Lowther at York, will be attempting seven furlongs for the first time.
* Ruler Of The World could make his return to action in the Prix Foy as trainer Aidan O’Brien eyes a second crack at the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.
Last year’s Investec Derby hero was only seventh to Treve in the Longchamp feature and has not raced since disappointing in the Dubai World Cup at Meydan in March.
A setback in the summer meant Ruler Of The World could not run in the Coronation Cup back at Epsom but O’Brien reports the colt to be 100% again now and the Foy on September 14 has been pencilled in.
* The Dermot Weld-trained Pale Mimosa is one of 31 overseas entries among a total of 148 in the Emirates Melbourne Cup at Flemington on November 4.
Weld won the race with Vintage Crop (1993) and Media Puzzle (2002)
Johnny Murtagh could have his first runners as a trainer in the race having nominated Royal Diamond and Ebor winner Mutual Regard.
The Queen’s 2013 Ascot Gold Cup winner Estimate, beaten by Pale Mimosa in the Lonsdale Cup at York, is also entered.
Red Cadeaux, having finished second in the race twice, is likely to be back for Ed Dunlop while Cavalryman and Willing Foe are the Godolphin possibles.
Weights will be released on September 16.
