Racing: Jim Bolger admits Finsceal Beo has a huge task in front of her when taking on Dylan Thomas and cohorts in tomorrow's Tattersalls Millions Irish Champion Stakes.
While it is not the first time the dual 1000 Guineas winner has taken on the colts, it is the first time she has attempted such a feat as a three-year-old.
She is the only filly in the field of six for the prestigious Group One event at Leopardstown, and is returning from a lengthy absence after finishing a disappointing eighth in the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot.
The daughter of Mr Greeley has also never tackled 10 furlongs before but interestingly her master trainer has chosen the Irish Champion rather than the apparently easier task in the Matron Stakes on the same card.
Bolger reported: "She's very well. Sure, it is unknown territory but she deserves a chance to tackle a race of that calibre. It won't be easy."
Dylan Thomas, one of three runners for Aidan O'Brien, is the odds-on favourite, having landed the race last year in a stirring battle with the brilliant mare Ouija Board.
Kieren Fallon gets the leg-up on the four-year-old for the first time since that narrow victory, although Dylan Thomas has added further Group Ones in the Prix Ganay and King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes in the interim.
Last time out, he was a length behind Authorized in the Juddmonte International and he will be flanked by stablemates Red Rock Canyon and Juddmonte fourth Duke Of Marmalade.
Likely second-favourite will be Red Rocks, who wrote his name into the history books when winning the Breeders' Cup Turf last season.
But Brian Meehan's charge has not been seen since finishing fourth to Manduro in the Prince of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot — Dylan Thomas was second - but Monmouth Park at the end of the season remains his principal aim as he bids for back-to-back victories at the showpiece meeting.
Jamie McCalmont, racing manager to owner Paul Reddam, said: "Brian had a double at Salisbury on Thursday so the horses are clearly in great form.
"You would not run unless he was in top condition — this is always a great race, one of the best in the world.
"Dylan Thomas and Finsceal Beo are there, and it will be tough off a layoff. The Breeders' Cup is the goal, but we are hopeful he'll run well."
Leopardstown general manager Tom Burke reports drying conditions ahead of one of the highlights of the Irish Flat season.
"We've got beautiful weather conditions here," he said. "We haven't had rain in quite a while. We watered the track yesterday and at the moment we are calling it good ground.
"It will probably dry up a bit though so it will be good to firm by tomorrow." PA