HORSE RACING:CHRYSANTHEMUM IS set to fly the Irish flag in this Sunday's French Oaks at Chantilly – providing she comes through a workout in good shape this morning.
The David Wachman filly is one of just 13 fillies currently in the €850,000 Prix de Diane, where the local favourite Golden Lilac, winner of the French Guineas last month, is sure to start a warm favourite.
Chrysanthemum was a Group Three winner as a juvenile and returned to action in the Irish 1,000 Guineas behind Misty For Me and Together.
“She has come out of that in good shape and it is entirely possible she’ll go to France, providing she works okay in the morning,” a stable spokesman said.
“She’s in good form but faces a tough task against Golden Lilac and Galikova.”
Galikova is a sister to the legendary Goldikova, but it is Golden Lilac, trained by Saturday’s Derby winner Andre Fabre, who will head the home defence.
The Eddie Lynam-trained Jolie Jioconde was also left in the classic yesterday.
Roderic O’Connor, the Irish hope in last Sunday’s French Derby, failed to make an impact when finishing only eighth for Ryan Moore and Aidan O’Brien.
** CONTINUING problems with the state of the ground at Fairyhouse Racecourse have resulted in the transfer of another fixture, this time next Wednesday’s meeting, which has been moved to Navan.
Last week’s scheduled Fairyhouse card was moved to Tipperary on the back of problems with the surface at the Ratoath course.
