FRAN BERRY gets an opportunity to break his Group One duck in France tomorrow when the jockey teams up with Curtain Call again for the Prix D’Ispahan at Longchamp.
The leading Irish jockey rides the Luca Cumani-trained colt in the nine and a half furlong event which has attracted nine runners in total, including the Breeders’ Cup Mile winner Goldikova.
Freddie Head’s filly is almost certain to start favourite but Curtain Call goes to France on the back of a Group Three success at the Curragh in the Mooresbridge Stakes earlier this month where Berry’s front-running ride was praised by Cumani.
The Newmarket trainer sticks with the Irishman this weekend and Berry will be hoping to win his first Group One on a horse that also provided him with a Group Two victory in 2007 in the Beresford Stakes when Curtain Call was trained by Jessica Harrington.
Another French connection has been established with Tote Ireland account holders now being able to bet live into PMU pools on French racing. Bets can be made on-course, by phone or on-line. PMU customers have been able to bet into Irish pools for the last three years.
This evening’s home action sees some Grade One form put to the test in the Kilbeggan opener as Donegal, fourth in the big juvenile hurdle at Punchestown, tries to lose his maiden tag.
That festival prize won by Jumbo Rio, after Tharwaat’s final flight fall, looked a relatively weak Grade One and Donegal was well beaten with The Fist Of God finishing ahead of him in third.
In the circumstances then, Noel Meade’s decision to run the Down Royal bumper winner Prima Vista in this race could be significant. Earth Magic can make it third time lucky over fences in the Beginners Chase where the 2008 Galmoy Hurdle winner looks to have got a perfect combination of distance and ground.
The going looked faster than ideal on his last start at Thurles and Earth Magic will relish the two and three quarter miles, while Noble Prince also looks ready to thrive over the three miles of the conditions hurdle.
Kilbeggan will have a 9am inspection this morning to see if this evening’s fixture can get the green light. The ground was heavy but raceable yesterday evening. However, a poor overnight weather forecast has forced this morning’s inspection.
