Racing: Arabian Prince has been making the pace for some of his more illustrious stable companions this season but the Aidan O'Brien-trained colt can break out of the shadows at Leopardstown tomorrow in the Group Three Desmond Stakes.
Up to his last start, Arabian Prince's role at Ballydoyle looked to be purely that of a pacemaker, having finished last in both the Irish Guineas and the St James's Palace Stakes, as well as finishing well back in the Prix Jean Prat at Longchamp.
However, there was plenty to like about the way he made the unbeaten hotpot Danak pull out most of the stops at Cork earlier this month, running the Oxx runner to three-parts of a length in the Platinum Stakes.
That could well turn out to be a very decent piece of form and O'Brien reported yesterday: "He ran very well at Cork and he has been in good form since. We think Leopardstown will suit him."
The figures suggest Arabian Prince has it to do against the 114-rated Heliostatic but that horse has been operating best at a mile and a quarter and was well beaten in the Royal Whip last weekend behind Mustameet. In contrast, the O'Brien horse looks to be on the up and the forecast good to firm ground will be ideal for him.
Just five line up for the Listed Ballyroan Stakes including the Mark Prescott-trained Foreign Affairs who beat Vinnie Roe in this race two years ago.
Declan McDonogh's mount ground out an all-the-way victory here over 14 furlongs last month but was subsequently well beaten in the Goodwood Cup behind Yeats.
He looks a decent bet, however, to improve his already impressive record in Ireland, especially since only conceding 1lb to the Curragh Cup winner Kastoria whose major objective is the Irish Leger next month.
The topweight Back To Paris will try and repeat his success of last year in the €60,000 Premier Handicap but this could be a good opportunity for the consistent Taqseem who overcame stamina doubts to run third in the Galway Mile and whose speed was advertised by winning the Scurrys.
Breaker Morant continued his winning streak at Ballinrobe last time out and despite another hike in the ratings, he could be another winner for the championship leading McDonogh.
The well-bred Naigani will attempt to win at the third time of asking in the seven-furlong maiden while Dermot Weld unveils the Danzig colt Capital Exposure. John Oxx's juveniles have been in good form, however, and reports suggest the Kings Best newcomer, Angelonmyshoulder, might be much better than average. A National Stakes entry next month also looks to be significant.
Andrew McNamara looks the jockey to follow at Tramore where he again teams up with the Galway Plate sixth Mutakarrim who should successfully revert to the smaller obstacles in the conditions hurdle.
