Pat Flynn confirmed yesterday that the star novice hurdler, French Ballerina, will take her chance in next Wednesday's Ascot Gold Cup, with Seamus Heffernan in the saddle.
Brilliant winner of Cheltenham's Supreme Novices' Hurdle and the Saval Beg Stakes last time, French Ballerina sandwiched a runner-up place to His Song on terrible ground at Punchestown in between, and the current wet weather could cause concern if it continues.
"She hates extremes in going but in between is fine for her," Flynn said yesterday. The CarrickOn-Suir trainer is also toying with the idea of running Right Job in Tuesday's Brittania Handicap.
In the meantime, Flynn looks to have made a significant jockey booking in the last race at Wexford tonight where his newcomer, Petaldante, will be ridden by Philip Fenton. The south-east track has the attraction of a £5,403 Jackpot carry over this evening and punters are going to have to seriously take into account the ground which is currently forecast as "yielding to soft".
Whatever the surface, though, Bulwark Hill looks capable of following up his success at this track last month in the opening novice hurdle.
It's a quarter mile shorter this time, but Bulwark Hill was an easy winner last time when after being prominent throughout, Tommy Treacy kicked him clear from the second last.
Bulwark Hill was good value for the three lengths he finished clear of Our-Dante and is preferred to Crosschild.
Another eye-catching jockey booking is that of Willie Supple for Shalazar in the Smirnoff Handicap. John Hayden's horse is by Shernazar and should therefore appreciate the 13 furlongs. Sound Orchestra ran well enough at Fairyhouse until unseating his rider at the last in the race won by Dovaly to suggest he has a chance in the maiden hurdle; while Star Hand could be capable of defying a big weight in the Enniscorthy Handicap.
Kieren Fallon gave up three rides at Newbury yesterday after hurting his right knee in the morning, an injury which could threaten his participation at Royal Ascot, which begins in five days' time.
The champion jockey was riding out for Henry Cecil in Newmarket when his mount whipped round abruptly, causing Fallon, who stayed on board, to twist his knee.
And after partnering Poliziano into second for Cecil in the opening Kennett Maiden, Fallon decided to miss his remaining mounts.
