Scorpion makes his long-awaited comeback from injury in the Rathbarry Stud Barathea Finale Stakes at the Curragh tomorrow.
Last year's St Leger hero has not run since finishing unplaced in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe after fracturing a hind-leg pastern.
He faces 14 rivals in this Listed contest over a mile and half with his trainer Aidan O'Brien also represented by Magicalmysterytour and Sacrosanct, while the Mick Quinlan-trained Frank Sonata is the only British challenger.
Dermot Weld is hoping the ground dries out for his promising colt Capital Exposure in the Juddmonte Beresford Stakes at the Curragh on Sunday.
The Danzig colt booked his place in the Group Two contest with a fluent two-length win over Angelonmyshoulder, a winner since, on his debut at Leopardstown in August.
"He's a good colt and he's progressed well. It was lovely ground that day at Leopardstown," Weld said yesterday.
"I wouldn't want to see any more rain because really testing ground may just take away his speed.
"He's a colt with a lot of speed and I think he's a very nice horse. He's a very straightforward horse to ride, he's a laid back colt with a lot of pace."
Aidan O'Brien runs both Champagne Stakes second Eagle Mountain and Malacara while the Mark Johnston-trained Silent Waves is the sole British raider in a seven-strong field.
The line-up is completed by Kevin Prendergast's Right Or Wrong, Declan Gillespie's New World Order and Mica's Island, trained by Andrew Oliver.
Meanwhile, Dermot Weld and Pat Smullen were quick out of the blocks at Gowran Park yesterday, claiming both divisions of the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden. Treasure Map got into the first division as a reserve and made the most of the opportunity, hitting the lead early in the straight and staying on well to hold Mount Nelson by a length.
"It was a good performance. He's a progressive two-year-old and will make a very nice three-year-old," said Weld.
The master of Rosewell House described Thiella as "very classy" after she made a winning debut in the second division of the contest. Smullen sent the Kingmambo filly to the front over a furlong from home and she proved much too strong for hot-pot Red Rock Canyon (4 to 11), coming home a cosy 1¼-length winner.
"She's a very nice well-bred filly. That will be her for the year. She's very classy and there is a lot to look forward to next year."
Flexible Friend was well supported to give the duo a treble in the mile maiden later on the card but could only finish sixth. La Conquistadora proved a game winner, holding the persistent challenge of Soldier Of Fortune in the final furlong to prevail by the narrowest of margins.
Jim Bolger, who also bred the Aidan O'Brien-trained runner-up, will aim the winner at the Listed Eyrefield Stakes at Leopardstown on the last day of the season.
Star Inside notched a hat-trick when running out a game winner of the feature event on the card. Kevin Prendergast's charge fought doggedly to hold the late challenge of Temlett by a short-head in the ITBA (South East Region) EBF Nursery.
The Key Of Luck gelding was also involved in a tight finish last time when dead-heating at Listowel and Prendergast said: "It's better to have a lucky horse than a good horse!"
