OVER THREE years after his finest hour, Fame And Glory is set to try and secure more Curragh classic glory in Saturday evening’s Gain Irish St Leger.
The 2009 Irish Derby winner might have to play second-fiddle to stable-companion Camelot but a sixth Group 1 success in his fifth season of racing would be a notable achievement in itself.
Aidan O’Brien’s star-stayer hasn’t been seen since beating only two home in his bid to defend the Ascot Gold Cup crown and has to banish the memory of a poor run in last year’s Irish Leger when only fourth to the dead-heaters Duncan and Jukebox Jury.
O’Brien has left in three other entries among the 18 remaining in the final Irish classic of 2012 at yesterday’s forfeit stage, including 2011 Irish Derby hero Treasure Beach.
It looks like being a busy Group 1 weekend all-round for the champion trainer with Group 1 targets in France on Sunday as well.
“Excelebration is going to go to France for the Prix du Moulin , and at the moment we’re looking at the Prix Vermeille for Was,” he said yesterday. “But these ones have to work on Tuesday and then we’ll make a decision.”
O’Brien is chasing a third Irish Leger success, while Dermot Weld could secure a seventh if allowing the Pretty Polly runner-up Sapphire take her chance.
British-based horses have dominated the Leger in the last couple of years and a trio of possible cross-channel raiders remain, including last year’s Doncaster Leger runner-up Brown Panther, who carries the colours of the former England footballer Michael Owen.
John Gosden, a winner with Duncan last year, has left in the French Group 2 winner Aiken, while Godolphin have the option of sending Lost In The Moment.
Ground conditions at the Curragh yesterday were on the yielding side of good but the forecast is unsettled for the week ahead.
Tommy Carmody’s return to prominence this season with Andrew Tinkler’s new Irish string could see the man who trains out of Johnny Murtagh’s Curragh yard add some classic polish to an already fine campaign.
Ursa Major is a 20-1 shot in some lists for the Doncaster Leger but also holds an Irish Leger entry alongside his stable companion Royal Diamond.
Tim Jones, racing manager to owner Tinkler, said: “Ursa Major has been left in both races and the decision about where to run will be taken later in the week once we’ve seen the entries.
“He’s improved with every run and we hope there is further improvement in him. It is typical of his breeding that he has improved as time has gone on and we’re throwing him in at the deep end on Saturday.”
Saturday’s other Group 1 highlight at the Curragh is the Goffs Vincent O’Brien Stakes, formerly the National Stakes, which the former master of Ballydoyle won 15 times.
His Ballydoyle successor, Aidan O’Brien, yesterday nominated Cristoforo Colombo as his most likely starter, although he has also left in the Phoenix Stakes winner Pedro The Great and Mars, who is more likely to wait for the Beresford Stakes.
Jim Bolger has left in four hopefuls, including the unbeaten Guineas favourite Dawn Approach. Mick Channon is targeting the Group 1 contest with his German winner Ayaar.
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COUNTY CORK trainer Michael Winters enjoyed a day-of-days at the summer festival with Rebel Fitz’s Galway Hurdle success and he can again hit the mark at Ballybrit this evening courtesy of Missunited.
The mare arrives at Galway bang-in-form on the back of two recent wins on the level, at Clonmel and Listowel.
