Aidan O'Brien's 2,000 Guineas favourite Henrythenavigator heads a powerful team of six entries as the champion trainer goes in pursuit of a remarkable ninth win in the last 10 years in Sunday's Group One feature at the Curragh.
The Ballydoyle sextet look to dominate the Independent Waterford Wedgwood Phoenix Stakes, Ireland's first top-flight race of the season for juveniles. Thirteen entries remain in the six-furlong feature after yesterday's forfeit stage although they don't include the unbeaten Myboycharlie, a recent purchase by the Coolmore team.
Henrythenavigator, the unbeaten winner of the Coventry Stakes, could end up facing another Royal Ascot winner in the Queen Mary heroine Elletelle.
There are two British hopes remaining in Captain Royale (Jeremy Noseda) and Exhibition (Neville Callaghan).
The double 1,000 Guineas winner, Jim Bolger's Finsceal Beo, is an entry in Sunday's Prix Jacques Le Marois at Deauville but she also has the option of Sunday's UAE Royal Whip Stakes at the Curragh.
The current foot and mouth scare in Britain has had its first impact on racing as the Department of Agriculture here yesterday announced that all horses travelling between Ireland and Britain will from noon today have to have a health certificate.
Today's action at Gowran includes the appearance of the 97-rated Bawaader, who will have to shoulder topweight in the nine-furlong handicap.
Sligo will have its own star name in the six-furlong handicap as the Tote Galway Mile winner Incline tries to defy a 5lb hike in the ratings for his biggest win. The trip and the heavy ground could, however, favour Zhukhov.
