News and Preview: Vital midweek workouts will determine final running plans as both Aidan O'Brien and Dermot Weld go in search of Derby success at the weekend.
O'Brien gave a "so far so good" update on the Epsom Derby favourite, Yeats, yesterday and didn't rule out sending the Gallinule Stakes winner, Meath, to England too.
"He's still a possible. He is in the French Derby as well and it will be Wednesday, I would say, before we decide. If Meath did go to Epsom we would have the likes of Moscow Ballet still entered in France but we will decide later in the week," said O'Brien, who is aiming at a third success in four years in England's blue riband.
In contrast, the Ballydoyle trainer has suffered a blank in the Prix du Jockey Club and it is 21 years since the last Irish-trained winner, Caerleon in 1983.
However, Weld opened up the possibility yesterday of sending the Derrinstown Trial runner-up, Relaxed Gesture, to Chantilly despite having had to miss the Derby Italiano in Rome.
"It's possible he could go for the French Derby. It's also an option for Cairdeas (owned by the President, Mary McAleese). But no decision will be taken about where they go until after they work on Tuesday morning," he said.
Grey Swallow, third to Bachelor Duke in the Irish 2,000 Guineas, was described by Weld as "unlikely" to take part in the Epsom Derby.
The first major Group One of the Epsom festival will be the Coronation Cup and O'Brien confirmed the St Leger winner Brian Boru is on course for the mile-and-a-half prize.
Making the trip across the Irish Sea in the opposite direction on June 16th will be last year's Oaks third, Summitville, who is being lined up for the Group Three Noblesse Stakes at Naas.
Summitville was third to Crimson Palace on her seasonal debut at York and trainer James Given said yesterday: "We will probably go next for the fillies-and-mares race in Ireland. The ground was wrong for her the last time and there is nothing for her at Royal Ascot."
Tonight's action is at Ballinrobe, where Sunshine Guest looks a good bet in the bumper.
The Michael Grassick-trained filly arrived on the scene with a winning chance on her debut at Cork last month only to throw it away 150 yards from the line.
Sunshine Guest swerved, collided with a hurdle wing and unseated her rider. Niall Madden is in the plate this evening and a straight passage to the line can see her come out on top.
Iwo Jima makes a quick reappearance in the nine-furlong handicap after running third to Signor Rossa at Limerick on Saturday, while Benwilt Breeze, runner-up over the course and distance last time, looks the best option in the juvenile maiden.
Le Leopard is sent west by Dermot Weld for a second start over hurdles and on the back of a Gowran victory on the flat he looks hard to oppose.
