News: Christophe Soumillon will return to Ireland on Saturday for the classic ride on board Shalapour in the Irish Field St Leger.
France's leading jockey has already won the Irish Oaks on board Shawanda at the Curragh this year and will again substitute for the injured Michael Kinane on a John Oxx-trained big race hope.
Soumillon was out of luck on board Azamour in Saturday's Irish Champion Stakes and received mixed reviews on his first encounter with the Leopardstown track.
He was a Kilternan Stakes winner on Alayan but didn't impress with his ride on the Michael Stoute-trained Chic who was runner-up to Attraction in the Matron Stakes.
"Shalapour is coming along nicely and is in good form. He will run in the Leger and Christophe will come over to ride," Oxx confirmed yesterday.
Aidan O'Brien wasn't the only Co Tipperary-based trainer to hit the international Group One mark on Saturday as David Wachman's Luas Line won the Garden City Breeders' Cup Stakes at Belmont Park in New York.
John Velasquez guided the filly to a length and a half success in the Grade One event and Luas Line has a choice of races to pick from next including the Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup at Keeneland or a return to Belmont next month for the Breeders' Cup Fillies and Mares.
The biggest danger to Luas Line ultimately seemed to come from an errant flock of geese who had settled on the track in the home straight.
"After she went through them, she got scared. It was a delayed reaction," reported Velasquez who added that the Irish filly briefly lost her action. "We'll see about the Breeders' Cup now," said Wachman. "She likes firm ground and travels well."
Luas Line is a second top-flight winner for Wachman who is one of the most successful young trainers in Ireland. Damson in last year's Phoenix Stakes was the first.
There is also an international element to this afternoon's action at Roscommon where there are two races in the Ireland versus Australia Jump Jockeys Series.
The home team could emerge best with both Dotty Lord and Parlessence but there will be many waiting for the Beginners' Chase and the appearance of Davenport Milenium.
Some of this horse's form, and a 137 rating, makes him a good thing for a race like this. Crown Key put in a good debut behind Sakkara Star at Tipperary and looks a decent option in the first.
