John Murtagh's successful partnership with Michael Stoute will be renewed in Wednesday's Aston Upthorpe Yorkshire Oaks when the Irish jockey rides Petrushka.
The partnership were brilliant six length winners of the Irish Oaks last month and John Oxx's decision to take out his entry Mouramara from York's Group One contest has left the way clear for Murtagh to get back on Petrushka.
In addition to Petrushka, Murtagh has also hit the Group One mark for Stoute this summer with Greek Dance in Germany and Harry Herbert, spokesman for Petrsuhka's owners, the Highclere syndicate, said yesterday: "We are delighted we've got our man. Johnnny gave the filly a brilliant ride in Ireland."
The Yorkshire Oaks is emerging as the definitive fillies race of the year with Henry Cecil poised to unleash his Epsom Oaks winners Love Divine and Ramruma.
Cecil's stable jockey Richard Quinn will take the mount on Love Divine who hasn't run since June beating Kalypso Katie and an-unlucky in running Petrushka at Epsom. Mick Kinane is in line to ride the 1999 Epsom heroine Ramruma.
This evening's meeting is at Cork, a track where Aidan O'Brien and Dermot Weld are usually the trainers who enjoy multiple winners. Tonight though it can be the turn of Co. Tipperary trainer Thomond O'Mara.
Barry Geraghty's presence on Gypsy Melody's back in the maiden hurdle looks reasonably significant, especially in a less than inspiring contest, but it's O'Mara's runner in the 10 furlong handicap that really takes the eye.
Dunrally Fort is a course winner that acts on any type of ground and is a horse that seems to be coming back to something like his best judged on a five and a half length second to Tango Pasion at Sligo. It didn't hurt the form at all to see the 13 lengths third Louve Sereine subsequently win at Tramore this week.
That good apprentice Wayne Lordan takes a valuable 5lbs off Dunrally Fort's back and that can only help in a race where the Tramore winner Ballyhurry carries a 5lb hike and the Leopardstown specialist Abaco has to give weight all around.
Persian Bandit is a common form thread between Gotarapofahames and Saying Grace in the opening two-year-old race but Pat Smullen's presence on the former looks a significant pointer while Strong Project, an easy maiden hurdle winner at Naas, can step up successfully for Charlie Swan in the novice hurdle.
