The Department of Agriculture yesterday officially announced it is allowing horses from the UK into the country and said it had no problem with three Aidan O'Brien-trained horses returning to Ireland on Tuesday.
The return of Minardi, Darwin and Toroca from running at the Newmarket Guineas meeting caused some surprise and headlines yesterday, but a Department spokesman downplayed any speculation.
"The protocols covering the importation of horses were agreed on Friday and were effectively in place on Tuesday. The administrative procedures had to be finalised but a licence application came in for the Aidan O'Brien horses and it was dealt with. He just asked before everyone else," he said.
The way is now open for other Irish-trained horses that were marooned in Britain due to the foot-and-mouth restrictions to return. They include the former Grand National winner, Papillon and the Dermot Weldtrained Ansar, who raced in Chester yesterday.
O'Brien's unbeaten Derby hope Galileo is on track for his third start in Sunday's Derrinstown Derby Trial and has been made an 8 to 11 favourite for the Group Three contest by Cashmans.
Just 10 entries remain in the race and it is the John Oxxtrained filly, Rayyana, who is judged by the bookies to be the main danger to Galileo, with Vinnie Roe third best. They bet 8/11 Galileo, 11/8 Rayyana, 8 Vinnie Roe, 16 Exaltation, 50 Derivative, 100 Darwin.
Today's action is at Thurles, where an all-jumping card is highlighted by the Premier County Handicap Chase. Balla Sola got run out of a victory by Be Home Early at Tipperary last week and will be fancied to atone for that, but there could also be interest in the topweight Dante's Battle.
Paul Carberry's mount was a formidable operator on fast ground last summer and had a first start since August when down the field behind Masalarian in a hurdle at Fairyhouse on Saturday.
A popular choice in the first division of the amateur maiden hurdle is likely to be Henry De Bromhead's Best Thyne, and on the strength of a second to That's The Goose at Gowran, it's not hard to see why.
The second division looks a reasonable target for Laois Lottie, and Shamicasa's Cork third to Coolsan looks good enough for the bumper.
