RACING: Jewel In The Sand could yet head the British raiding party on Sunday's Group One Moyglare Stud Stakes as the raiders attempt to break the home lock on the Curragh highlight.
Mail The Desert (2002) and Bianca Nera (1996) are the only cross-channel trained fillies to have won the Moyglare in the last 10 years although Richard Hannon's Lemon Souffle did land the spoils in 1993.
But Hannon is now holding fire on a decision about whether or not to run the impressive Cherry Hinton winner Jewel In The Sand in the seven-furlong feature this weekend.
"She could still run in that race if that is what they decide to do but no decision has been made yet," said a spokesperson for the trainer yesterday.
Jewel In The Sand's ultimate target this season is the Cheveley Park Stakes but significantly a possible warm-up for that in today's Listed race at Salisbury has been bypassed.
The uncertainty over her participation, however, has meant the bookmakers have decided not to start ante-post betting on the big race although a Cashmans spokesperson did say Jewel In The Sand would head the market if she does run.
The overseas challenge took an early blow yesterday as Clear Impression was ruled out of the Moyglare by her trainer Peter Chapple Hyam.
"She just needs more time. She is in the Cheveley Park and that could be the target," said Chapple Hyam of the filly who was runner-up at Goodwood on her only start to date.
A total of 22 fillies were left in the Moyglare at Tuesday's forfeit stage and the final declarations will have to be made tomorrow.
Aidan O'Brien has confirmed that the Debutante Stakes winner Silk And Scarlet is an intended starter and all four of his other entries are possibles.
O'Brien has won three of the last four renewals of the Moyglare.
However, it is unclear yet what the riding arrangements will be for the Ballydoyle horses at the weekend with the enigmatic Antonius Pius a possible starter in Longchamp's Prix du Moulin on Sunday.
The going at the Curragh yesterday remained "good" although there was a chance of heavy rain falling in the area overnight.
Rakti will attempt to bounce back to winning form in Saturday week's Baileys Irish Champion Stakes provided the going at Leopardstown is good or better.
The Newmarket trainer Michael Jarvis confirmed the plan yesterday as he goes in search of a second win in the race having scored 15 years ago with the subsequent Arc hero Carroll House.
A multiple Group One winner over 10 furlongs, including in this year's Prince Of Wales's Stakes,Rakti flopped on soft ground when favourite for the Eclipse in July but Jarvis said yesterday: "He's extremely well and if the ground is good he will go to Ireland."
On the back of TG4's coverage at the Galway Festival, the Irish language channel now plans to air five days at the Listowel Festival later this month.
On each of the days covered TG4 are scheduled to be on air from 2.45 to 6.00.
