RACING: Aidan O'Brien has indicated that Hawk Wing will get the nod over High Chaparral to run in Saturday's Irish Champion Stakes.
The Ballydoyle trainer reported yesterday that his three-year-old stars are back in "full work" after the coughing that devastated much of the yard throughout August.
The first big comeback test for some of his major stars will come this weekend when three Group One races in three countries will be run.
O'Brien said: "It is possible, if all the tests are clear, that Hawk Wing will run in the Champion Stakes. Sholokhov and Castle Gandolfo could also run at Leopardstown.
"Rock Of Gibraltar could then go for the Prix du Moulin in France on Sunday and Landseer in the Sprint Cup at Haydock on Saturday." That would leave the double-Derby winner High Chaparral waiting for the traditional Arc trial, the Prix Niel at Longchamp on Sunday week.
However, O'Brien insisted: "If something was to happen to Hawk Wing, then High Chaparral would run in the Champion Stakes instead." Hawk Wing hasn't appeared since picking up the Eclipse at Sandown, where Sholokhov made the pace for him.
That was his first success of the season after a pair of runner-up placings in the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket and the Epsom Derby.
Current plans indicate Rock Of Gibraltar will remain at a mile for the Prix du Moulin at Longchamp. A hike up to 10 furlongs for the Champion Stakes had been touted for the Alex Ferguson-owned colt after his Sussex Stakes success.
The French 2,000 Guineas hero Landseer last ran in the July Cup when just outside the placings. He is set to remain at six furlongs for the Haydock highlight.
Other news included the half share bought in the Irish Oaks winner, Margarula, by the famous Wildenstein family.
The French-based Ecurie Wildenstein now own the filly in partnership with Mrs Jackie Bolger.
Margarula was the shock 33 to 1 winner of July's Darley Irish Oaks and is a possible to be supplemented into Saturday's Irish Champion Stakes at a cost of €100,000.
The blue Wildenstein colours are among the most well known in the world, having been associated with Arc winning stars such as Allez France, Peintre Celebre and All Along.
There was some slight improvement in the condition of the injured jockey Jimmy Mansell over the weekend.
Last season's champion claimer picked up serious head injuries eight days ago and remains in Castlebar General Hospital.
"He is still not fully conscious but his responses have improved and he is reacting better to family and hospital staff," said the Turf Club medical officer Dr Walter Halley.
Mansell came off a life support machine on Thursday morning, when his condition was described as stable but critical.
With the cancellation of thechases, the first day of Roscommon is a six-race card where Whithworth Ben looks an interesting contender for the maiden hurdle.
Trainer Jim Gorman has had three winners in the last couple of weeks, which have brought his total for the season to nine.
His Shoeless Joe won the apprentice handicap in 1999 and proved he shares his stablemates wellbeing with a decent fourth at Tralee last week.
