It will be all roads to Paris tomorrow for the Arc de Triomphe but the road out of Paris should prove profitable for Rolo Tomasi in today's Blenheim Stakes at the Curragh.
Eddie Lynam's talented juvenile travelled to Longchamp for the Group 1 Prix Salamandre two weeks ago with considerable claims on soft ground but, after being crossed by Stravinsky in the straight, understandably faded.
That was as hot a contest as has been run in Europe this year and today's Listed race, over the course and distance which Rolo Tomasi took the Goffs Challenge, is a much easier assignment. Rolo Tomasi will thrive on the soft ground and, on the Goffs form through Show Me The Money, should beat the likes of Immovable Option and Blue Lotus readily.
The Group 3 CL Weld Park Stakes looks a good opportunity for a filly who avoided the French option this weekend. Dazzling Park had been a possible for the Prix Marcel Boussac but runs here instead and can maintain her unbeaten record.
A daughter of Warning and Park Express, Dazzling Park showed an impressive turn of foot to beat Rafayda in a good looking maiden here and should show the benefit of that debut.
Rolo Tomasi's rider John Murtagh can also score on Golden Cat, a daughter of the St Leger winner Eurobird, in the Mitsubishi Diamond Stakes while the appearance of the Danzig colt Black Rock Desert in the six-furlong maiden has been eagerly awaited for some time.
The two miles of the Cesarewitch will take some getting and an ability to stay and act on the ground will be vital. Joleah won here early in the season on heavy ground and returns to her favoured long distances after a number of races over middle distances. Owned by the Rolling Stone Ron Wood, Joleah could represent a touch of value against the remarkable Quinze, who bids to maintain his winning run, and Moscow Express, who won over fences at Listowel last week.
The division of the maiden hurdle gives Down Royal a seven-race card today but the it should pay to keep the powder dry until the sixth, the 10-furlong handicap.
A 0-50 race is usually the sort of contest to avoid like the plague but Final Reminder looks one to get stuck into. A winner over this trip at Ballinrobe last year, Michael Grassick's seven-year-old ran a blinder over a short trip to be runner-up to Rush Brook at the Curragh last time. He should strip fitter today. The seven-furlong Nursery is a pretty interesting contest and with the going forecast to be good, Renvyle Rose can reverse Listowel form with Provosky although Tribal may be a danger to the both of them.
Celtic Minstrel, runner up Crystal Springs at Listowel, and Tuska Ridge are the selections in the divisions of the maiden hurdle.
