Racing: Johnny Murtagh is raring to go on Soldier Of Fortune in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp on Sunday.
The in-form rider again gets the leg up on Aidan O'Brien's runaway Irish Derby winner after guiding him to an impressive success over the Arc course and distance in the Prix Niel last month.
Successful in the great race on Sinndar in 2000, Murtagh believes he has every chance of making it win number two after Soldier Of Fortune's exploits in the Niel, which showed he can handle faster conditions after trouncing his rivals in the mud at the Curragh.
Murtagh, from Co Meath, said: "It will be great to be back on him. I rode him in the Niel and he gave me a nice feel that day.
"He went round the track well, handled the distance and the good ground. Any rain they get he should appreciate but he does handle all types of ground."
Soldier Of Fortune could finish only fifth to Authorized in the Epsom Derby but following the Irish equivalent, O'Brien was at pains to emphasise just how much the horse had changed in his mental outlook.
Murtagh went on: "Aidan said he came out of the Epsom Derby very well. Sometimes that race takes a lot out of horses and kills them but this lad seems to have gone forward.
"I suppose he does have to improve a bit on his Epsom form to beat Authorized but he is going the right way and you need a progressive three-year-old at this time of year, and hopefully he is the one."
O'Brien has a typically strong hand in the race, with Kieren Fallon aboard King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes hero Dylan Thomas.
The master of Ballydoyle also saddles outsiders Song Of Hiawatha and Yellowstone.