Weld ponders big-race options for Search For A Song

Having come so close Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe glory with Tarnawa a week ago, Dermot Weld turns the focus to his other top-flight mare Search For A Song's upcoming pursuit of more big-race glory.

Search For A Song’s tilt at an Irish St Leger hat-trick ended in disappointment at Irish Champions Weekend last month.

However, she bounced back to form with a spectacular rout in the two-mile Loughbrown Stakes at the Curragh a fortnight afterwards when ridden by Colin Keane for the first time.

Weld has kept his options open for Saturday's spectacular British Champions Day action at Ascot by leaving Search For A Song in both the Group One Filly & Mare Stakes and the Group Two Long Distance Cup.

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Search For A Song was runner-up to Trueshan in last year’s Long Distance Cup.

However, the Curragh trainer hasn't ruled out skipping Champions Day altogether and instead returning to Longchamp for Sunday week's Group One Prix Royal Oak at Longchamp.

Weld memorably landed the French version of the St Leger 20 years ago with Vinnie Roe. The last Irish-trained winner of the race was Yeats in 2008.

“I’ve left her in both at Ascot . We will review it during the week. She’s also in the French St Leger the following weekend. She’s adaptable [round wise] but she likes it good and that would be appreciated for her,” he said on Monday.

Tarnawa has a return trip to the Breeders Cup in her sights after that gallant effort when beaten by the German outsider Torquator Tasso in the Arc.

“I’m pleased with the way she’s come out of the race. she ran such a wonderfully brave race. She’s so tough, battles, and gives 110 per cent every time she runs so she had a hard race.

“But I’m happy with her recovery and next week we’ll make a decision about whether or not she goes to Del Mar,” Weld said.

Tarnawa secured her trainer a first Breeders Cup success at Keeneland last November in the mile and a half Turf.

The Filly & Mare Turf over a mile and a quarter is an alternative option for her in California this time although Weld indicated: "The Turf is the most likely of the two she will go for".

Tarnawa is a general 5-2 favourite to defend the Turf crown and emulate both High Chaparral and Conduit who won it back-to-back.