RACING: Last year's disqualified "winner" Powerscourt will have to overcome a high draw if he is to gain some Arlington Million compensation in Chicago tomorrow night.
The Aidan O'Brien-trained horse will break from stall nine of 10 in the Grade One highlight and the American bookmakers reckon he faces a massive task in getting the better of the hot favourite Kitten's Joy.
America's top rated turf horse has been installed a 6 to 5 favourite to win under jockey Edgar Prado and will run from stall one. The Irish hope is a 6 to 1 third favourite in the US betting.
Powerscourt was thrown out of first place by the Arlington stewards in last year's Million and placed fourth under Jamie Spencer. Kieren Fallon will take the ride tomorrow.
Grand Central is being rated a 10 to 1 shot to give Aidan O'Brien a second victory in the Secretariat Stakes after Ciro's previous success in 2000. But on the eve of the race the Sadler's Wells colt has been bought by the Hong Kong Breeders' Club and will continue his career in Hong Kong at the end of his three-year-old European campaign.
Dermot Weld's Merger will also take his chance in the Secretariat Stakes while the Ballydoyle raid on Chicago is completed by Mona Lisa in the Beverly D Stakes.
A replacement fixture at Cork on Thursday, September 8th, will be run for the meeting lost to bad weather earlier in the year.
Watering began at the Leopardstown track yesterday morning ahead of Sunday's fixture which features the Group Three Desmond Stakes. The going yesterday officially was "firm" and little rain is expected for the area over the weekend.
Dermot Weld will run Vinnie Roe in the Ballyroan Stakes and the Curragh trainer has also confirmed that his young stayer Orpington will take part in Wednesday's totesport Ebor at the York festival. Pat Smullen will ride and the news was enough for Orpington be cut from 14 to 1 to 11 to 1 with some firms yesterday.
John Oxx's Caradak looks to dominate the Desmond Stakes but one cross-channel raider willing to take him on is the Neville Callaghan-trained Hazyview.
Darryll Holland's intended mount was fourth behind Oratorio and Motivator on his last start in the Eclipse at Sandown and will travel to Dublin rather than take up the Arlington Million option.
There will be poignant scenes at Tramore this evening if the champion jockey Ruby Walsh can get Blue Corrig home in front in the two mile handicap hurdle. The horse was owned by the local breeder Dick Forristal who was murdered at his Tramore home last month.
There would be no more appropriate if sad winner at the festival and on this tight, quick track, Blue Corrig's natural speed should come into its own. Walsh also looks the ideal jockey to time a decisive late run.
