The Arlington Million hero Powerscourt could yet be diverted from next month's Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown in favour of a return to the USA. Brian O'Connor reports.
Aidan O'Brien yesterday issued a "so far-so good" report about his three-year-old Eclipse winner Oratorio and confirmed that the Champion Stakes at Leopardstown in just over two weeks' time is an intended target for that horse.
Powerscourt finished a close third in the Champion last year after running in the Arlington Million, but O'Brien yesterday outlined a possible alternative route for the five-year-old this time leaving his younger stable companion to take on the likes of Azamour and Motivator at home.
"There are other options with Powerscourt and he is in the Man O'War Stakes on the same day as the Champion Stakes. He is a possible for that, as is Ace," the trainer said. "It's so far-so good with Oratorio and we are looking at Leopardstown for him."
Oratorio hasn't been seen since inflicting a surprise defeat on the Derby winner Motivator at Sandown early last month and was reported to be stiff after the race. However, he is now back in work and could yet make it back in time to try and follow in the Champion Stakes footsteps of the previous Ballydoyle winners High Chapparal (2003) and Giant's Causeway (2000).
O'Brien also said yesterday that no decision has been taken on whether the 2,000 Guineas favourite, George Washington, will run again this year.
The eight-length Phoenix Stakes winner is as low as 4 to 1 already for next year's Classic, but his trainer said: "We are not in any panic to decide if he will race again this season."
A more immediate concern is whether or not Ad Valorem will take his chance in Sunday's Celebration Mile at Goodwood. Last year's Middle Park winner is the most likely to be O'Brien's entries to run in the Group Two but the trainer wants to check out the long-range weather forecast before committing the colt.
The Tralee Festival winds up this afternoon and the final day feature is the €50,000 Premier Nursery which in recent years has proved to be something of a benefit for Kevin Prendergast.
The veteran Curragh trainer has won the race in three of the last four years and today he pitches in the pair, Mama Angela and Andramad.
Recent rain has changed the impact of ground conditions and turns the 10-runner race into an even more trappy contest with the Galway and Roscommon winner An Tadh topping the weights.
An Tadh had two lengths in hand of Mama Angela when they ran at Roscommon and significantly that was on an easy surface. However, Mama Angela is much better off at the weights and could be worth a chance to keep the Prendergast streak going.
As a son of Indian Ridge, cut in the ground should not be a problem for Dermot Weld's Bawaader in the mile maiden and the three-year-old can finally get off the mark today.
Bawaader has been an expensive failure at both Galway and Roscommon on his last two starts but if he runs up to his 84 rating then this should be his day.
The Charles Byrnes team have been in very good form this week and they can keep up the good work now with Drive On in the maiden hurdle and Carthalawn, who can confirm Cork form with Mission Possible in the bumper.
