Ad Valorem to bid for Woodbine Mile

The Queen Anne Stakes winner Ad Valorem will attempt to secure the third Group One success of his career in Canada at the weekend…

The Queen Anne Stakes winner Ad Valorem will attempt to secure the third Group One success of his career in Canada at the weekend.

Aidan O'Brien is targeting the former Middle Park Stakes-winning colt at the $1 million Woodbine Mile in Toronto on Sunday night.

Ad Valorem - who will be ridden by local jockey Patrick Husbands - ran fifth to Librettist on unsuitable soft going in the Prix Jacques Le Marois at Deauville last month.

The Ballydoyle trainer has been successful at the Woodbine track before, including when Ballingarry landed the Canadian International five years ago.

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O'Brien and Kieren Fallon will be represented at Galway today by the Montjeu colt Chinese Whisper who looks a decent bet to break his duck at the second time of asking in the mile maiden.

There was plenty to like about Chinese Whisper's Curragh debut when a staying on fourth to Warriors Key and that experience, plus a test of stamina, should make him hard to beat now.

The 102-rated Tamazug looks the clear stand-out in the seven furlong conditions race but the drop in trip could make him vulnerable to Dermot Weld's well-bred Polished Gem.

The daughter of Trusted Partner hasn't run since Royal Ascot when unplaced behind Red Evie but Weld is always a man to fear at Ballybrit.

Lorna's Star is 10lbs higher in the handicap hurdle for a course and distance win last time out but despite top-weight Francis Flood's charge should still make his presence felt.

Brian O'Connor

Brian O'Connor

Brian O'Connor is the racing correspondent of The Irish Times. He also writes the Tipping Point column