Christy Roche won the battle of the jockeys as well as Tralee's plum prize, the Carling Gold Cup, when Theatreworld landed the odds in yesterday's big race. Runner-up to Make A Stand in the Champion Hurdle, Theatreworld had been pencilled in to start his novice chasing career at Tralee under Charlie Swan but Roche was keen for the gelding to remain on the flat for at least one more race.
"Christy and Charlie were talking about it the other morning and it was settled when Christy said he'd give Charlie Toast The Spreece for the hurdle if Charlie gave him Theatreworld for this," grinned Aidan O'Brien.
Roche definitely got the better of the arrangement with Toast The Spreece unfortunately injuring himself on Tuesday and Theatreworld battling with typical gusto, after securing the shortest route up the straight, to hold the fast-finishing 33 to 1 outsider Pas Possible with stable companion Just Little third.
"He'll be left in the Cesarewitch but more than likely he will go jumping, probably at Listowel. We've kept him ticking over through the summer and he has grown and matured," O'Brien added.
In contrast to the favourite Theatreworld, there was a 12 to 1 surprise in the Beamish Ruby Stakes when Pat Smullen guided John Oxx's well-bred filly On Fair Stage to a two-length defeat of Wray, with O'Brien's favourite, Theano, finishing lame in third last.
"She loves the soft and a mile is her trip which is surprising considering she's by Sadler's Wells out of an Oaks winner (Fair Salinia). Michael Stoute had her at two and three but she had very bad sinus trouble. We were happy when she won a race, delighted when she was Listed placed and now she's won a Listed," enthused Oxx. On Fair Stage is in foal to Darshaan but will be able to race until the middle of next month.
O'Brien's highly touted newcomer Boldini was taken out of the Oyster Tavern Maiden after kicking out against a wall when being saddled, causing slight lamesness in his near hind. Oxx was the main beneficary as Takarian, despite racing with his head high, just got the better of Osprey Reef by a neck.
"He nearly didn't run because of the soft ground but he's a tough devil and will be decent in time," Oxx remarked.
In contrast, Sam Vaughan's shrewd trainer Eugene O'Sullivan was thrilled with the heavy overnight rain and his gambled on mudlark, who is owned by O'Sullivan's cousin, Maura Moylan, won the handicap chase in a canter.
"He's a class horse in the soft and if it keeps raining, and a few come out, we could run him again in the Haversnack tomorrow," O'Sullivan said of the gelding backed from 5 to 1 to 5 to 2 favourite.
The bumper favourite Ballon Point was beaten a length and a half by Haren Scarem and the runner up's rider, Charlie Farrell, subsequently got a seven-day ban and a £100 fine for using his whip with excessive force and frequency.
Ebadiyla, absent since winning the Irish Oaks, is back in work although trainer John Oxx faces a battle against time to get her ready for the Prix Vermeille at Longchamp on September 14th.
"She had a minor setback but is back in work now and we are happy with her progress. We will have to wait and see if she will be ready for the Vermeille but if not she could run in the Irish St Leger," Oxx said yesterday.
Another Irish runner on Arc trial day at Longchamp could be Dr Johnson but the Irish Derby runner-up's trainer Charles O'Brien said yesterday that no decision has been made about whether the colt goes for the Prix Niel or the English St Leger. Dr Johnson is one of 18 horses still left in the Doncaster race.
There are no such doubts about the next target for the Molecamb Stakes winner Lady Alexander who has been supplemented into Sunday week's Moyglare Stud Stakes at a cost of £18,500.
Her trainer Con Collins said: "I discussed it with the owner Noel O'Callaghan and we feels she deserves to take her chance."
Collins also intends to run the Gowran Park winner Heed My Warning in the Moyglare. The filly is owned by the well known film actor, John Hurt.
Aidan O'Brien confirmed yesterday that Heeremandi, third in last Sunday's Prix Morny at Deauville, will also take her place in the Moyglare field.
Pasternak, the colt who landed a gamble to win the Magnet Cup on his seasonal debut, had bookmakers back on their guard yesterday when he was installed favourite for the Tote Cambridgeshire.
