Eagle sets Kinane on flight

Michael Kinane faces a busy trans-Atlantic weekend with the former champion jockey scheduled to ride Eagle Mountain in tomorrow…

Michael Kinane faces a busy trans-Atlantic weekend with the former champion jockey scheduled to ride Eagle Mountain in tomorrow's Group One at Newbury before jetting to Toronto for the Canadian International mount on Kastoria.

As expected, Eagle Mountain leads a four-strong raid from Ballydoyle in Aidan O'Brien's attempt to land Britain's final Group One of the year, the Racing Post Trophy, for the fifth time in his career.

Eagle Mountain, who won the Beresford last time, will be joined by Great Sphinx, Malacara and Red Rock Canyon with the home team headed by the Royal Lodge runner-up Medicine Path. A final field of 14 was declared yesterday.

A total of 10 horses are expected to line up in Sunday's $2 million Pattison Canadian International with Kastoria endeavouring to follow up her Irish Leger success in the mile-and-a-half event.

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Kinane won the big race at Woodbine four years ago on the O'Brien-trained Ballingarry while Kastoria's trainer John Oxx returns to a track he last visited in 1995 when Timarida landed the EP Taylor Stakes.

Sunday's renewal of the $1 million EP Taylor will also see Kinane team up with Michael Stoute for this season's Blandford Stakes winner Red Bloom in the 10-furlong Grade One.

Kinane will be in action as well in the Grade Two Nearctic Stakes on board the "Dandy" Nicholls-trained Moss Vale who will be fancied in the $500,000 sprint on the International card.

Conditions are likely to be testing for Ballinrobe's end-of-season card today and Aidan O'Brien sends a rare runner to the Co Mayo track with Meteor Shower a likely favourite for the mile-and-a-half maiden.

The Danehill colt had his first start of the season at Cork last weekend when third to Tarkani and should strip fitter for the experience.

O'Brien also has a runner in the nine-furlong juvenile conditions race but this race looks a good opportunity for the Gowran winner Treasure Map, who was a length too good for Mount Nelson on his last start on heavy ground.

Brian O'Connor

Brian O'Connor

Brian O'Connor is the racing correspondent of The Irish Times. He also writes the Tipping Point column