RACING: Dermot Weld confirmed yesterday that he will resume the classic chase with Miss Nashwan in Sunday's Italian Oaks in Milan.
The Curragh trainer has already notched up a classic victory this season with Refuse To Bend in the 2,000 Guineas, his 17th career classic, but hopes are growing that Miss Nashwan might add to that despite a lacklustre effort in her last race.
Miss Nashwan was five to four favourite for a Listed race at Navan 11 days ago but flopped and finished seventh out of eight.
"The only thing I can put that down to is the ground which was very heavy that day at Navan and she couldn't handle it.
"At the moment it's reported good in Milan which should suit her as she won on good to firm in Italy last year as a two-year-old. Pat Smullen will ride," said Weld.
Mutakarrim will represent Weld in next week's Savel Beg Stakes at Leopardstown, leaving the double Irish Leger winner and last year's Savel Beg victor, Vinnie Roe, on the sidelines for the time being.
"As I've said before I intend to give the horses that came back from Australia last year more time," he reported.
Another Irish horse likely to be in Group One action this weekend is Hawk Wing who has been left in both Saturday's Lockinge at Newbury and also the Prix d'Ispahan at Longchamp.
Aidan O'Brien has left in both Yesterday and L'Ancresse, his two star fillies, in the Prix St Alary on Sunday, the main trial for the French Oaks.
Looking ahead to the Curragh's Group One action on Sunday week, the Mooresbridge Stakes winner Nysaean is reported to be on target to return to Ireland for the Tattersalls Gold Cup.
The Curragh authorities also said yesterday that David Elsworth's Indian Creek is a possible for the race.
The return to form of the Willie Mullins string has been dramatic in recent weeks and the trend can continue at the trainer's local track this evening.
A total of four successes at the Punchestown festival, including two Grade ones, confirmed that Mullins has turned the corner from the sickness that hampered most of the 2002-03 season.
One of those Punchestown winners, Rule Supreme, takes a drop from the €90,000 festival pot to the two-and-a-half-mile conditions chase at Gowran tonight but his 142 rating makes a good argument for a follow up.
Behind Rule Supreme in that Punchestown race was his stable companion Killultagh Thunder and afterwards Mullins was keen to point out how well that horse had run considering some mistakes he had made.
Killultagh Thunder goes in the second division of the Beginners Chase and can end a good fixture for Mullins who also has the high class but disappointing Alexander Milenium in the opener.
Bodakker tries to conclude an 11-day hat-trick in the handicap hurdle. The horse is 12lbs higher for a course win but in the meantime followed up at Ballinrobe and appears in excellent form.
The first division of the Beginners Chase looks the more open contest with the 114 rated Beausheram and the Jim Dreaper trained Cherry Hunter looking to be strong contenders.
Michael Hourigan however is another trainer in form and his Moss Bawn has always looked a type to improve for the graduation to fences.
Rockstown Boy followed up a Limerick success with a decent sixth to Royal Rosa in the Champion Bumper at Punchestown and should be one to follow in the second maiden hurdle.
