Giant's Causeway is the new 4 to 6 favourite for next Saturday's Esat Digifone Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown after it emerged yesterday that Montjeu is set to miss the race.
Montjeu was expected to go off a hot favourite at Leopardstown after a number of highly-impressive victories including a brilliant success in the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes at Ascot on his latest start.
However, trainer John Hammond warned: "Montjeu is not a certain runner in Ireland.
"He has had a slight training setback and is now only a possible runner next Saturday."
And Coolmore sources indicated yesterday that provided the four-year-old was given the all-clear, he could instead have his prep-race for the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe in the Prix Foy-Gray d'Albion Barriere at Longchamp next Sunday.
The indications are now that Giant's Causeway, already entered for the race, could instead represent the John Magnier/Michael Tabor partnership at Leopardstown, although the colt's trainer Aidan O'Brien is reportedly concerned that his stable star "had this week off".
Bookmakers Cashmans make the three-year-old the 4 to 6 favourite in their new market with Godolphin's likely runner Best of the Bests next in the betting at 11 to 4. The Sir Michael Stoute-trained Greek Dance is 7 to 1.
