SEAMUS HEFFERNAN has stepped into the Group One limelight at the Curragh twice already this year and the jockey could get the chance to scoop up another top-flight prize in Sunday's Moyglare Stud Stakes.
With both Johnny Murtagh and Wayne Lordan suspended this weekend, the coveted ride on the Moyglare ante-post favourite Again is up for grabs provided she comes through a crucial piece of work this morning.
Again's trainer David Wachman is waiting until the outcome of today's gallops before deciding plans but it is believed Heffernan is in line to partner the filly who landed the Debutante Stakes on her last start.
The Co Kildare-born rider is number two to Murtagh at Ballydoyle and has landed both this year's Irish Derby on Frozen Fire and the 1,000 Guineas on Halfway To Heaven. Again is also owned by the Coolmore Stud syndicate who are usually keen to keep riding arrangements 'in-house' in Ireland. Again is a 15 to 8 favourite with Paddy Power and Wachman said yesterday: "If she comes through her work in the morning then she would probably run all right." Wachman is seeking a second Group One in a week having landed last weekend's Prix Morny at Deauville with Bushranger.
Tommy Stack landed last year's Prix Morny with Myboycharlie and Wachman's fellow Co Tipperary-based trainer could challenge for Sunday's Moyglare with Beyond Our Reach who was backed into 9 to 1 with Powers yesterday.
Dermot Weld has won the Moyglare just once, 21 years ago with Flutter Away, but his wish for better ground for Rare Ransom this Sunday looks like coming true. The Galway winner finished third to Again in the Debutante on soft ground conditions at Leopardstown.
The star name on Sunday's under card will be the dual-classic winner Finsceal Beo who drops to Listed class for the Dance Design Stakes and whose trainer Jim Bolger reported: "The plan is to run Finsceal Beo in the Curragh race. It is a suitable opportunity for her as she escapes a penalty."
Aidan O'Brien won't have a runner in the Moyglare but he does have nine of the 24 entries remaining in next month's Ladbrokes St Leger at Doncaster.
O'Brien has already won Britain's final classic on three occasions and the Irish Derby winner Frozen Fire heads his nine entries. However, the champion trainer has suggested Frozen Fire may tackle the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe instead.
In other news yesterday there was confirmation of a partnership between Tote Ireland and the internet exchange Betfair to allow the latter's 2.1 million customers bet directly into Tote Ireland's pools. Any winnings will be credited to accounts.
Tipperary's sprint course has been passed fit for racing so a full eight-race card goes ahead this evening. Thirteen line up for the Fairy Bridge Stakes with John Oxx fielding both Age Of Chivalry and Sharleez. Age Of Chivalry carries a Group Three penalty and may find seven and a half furlongs stretching her stamina on soft ground. Sharleez in contrast is versatile in terms of ground and distance and Mick Kinane's mount can get the better of the Ballydoyle hope Psalm.
Senor Mirasol is a British raider for the Danehill Dancer Tipperary Stakes but it looks significant that David Wachman allows the maiden Call Me Alice take her chance.
John Murtagh is on Divinitus who should be okay on the ground in the nine furlong handicap while Tarankali can put an underwhelming debut behind him in the juvenile maiden.
Barry Geraghty teams up with My Valley in the €30,000 handicap hurdle at Bellewstown and the versatile mare should make her presence felt.
MOYGLARE STUD STAKES (Paddy Power bet): 15-8 Again, 3 Shimah, 6 Baileys Cacao Cuis Ghaire, 8 Sugar Free, 9 Beyond Our Reach, 10 Rare Ranson, 16 Bar.
