Anyone hoping for an unexpected clash between the top Ballydoyle juveniles George Washington and Horatio Nelson in tomorrow's Laing O'Rourke National Stakes at the Curragh will be disappointed as Aidan O'Brien revealed yesterday that only one of them will run.
Both colts were declared at the final forfeit stage yesterday but that was a result of George Washington, the current 4 to 1 favourite for next year's 2,000 Guineas, not providing a definitive blood test in the morning.
"We weren't able to get a conclusive blood picture for George Washington so we will let him rest and take some blood in his box tomorrow. If it is okay he will run, if it isn't, he won't," said O'Brien.
George Washington had both O'Brien and Kieren Fallon reaching for the superlatives after his stunning eight-length triumph in the Phoenix Stakes and there will be huge interest if he does indeed take part.
Already he is rated a 122 horse by the handicapper and even though something like Heatseeker will make him stretch, George Washington should still enjoy something of a solo-show.
Horatio Nelson might have provided something more stern, so much so that if he himself gets the nod to run he will prove hard to beat.
The hat-trick seeking Chelsea Rose will be the home favourite in the Group Two Irish National Stud Blandford Stakes but maybe another Group One-winning juvenile Red Bloom can emerge best.
Red Bloom ran a fine race behind Pride at Deauville last time and has some unfinished business with the Blandford having been a beaten favourite in it last year.
She will be ridden by Kieren Fallon and it could be a good day for the jockey who looks to hold very strong claims in the Listed Blenheim Stakes with Art Museum.
The Storm Cat colt was an impressive winner on his debut a fortnight ago and continues to follow in the footsteps of Ad Valorem who won the same maiden before taking the Blenheim. It would be no surprise to see Art Museum eventually take in the Middle Park Stakes as well.
The first of seven days at the famous Listowel Festival gets underway in the shadow of the Group One action at the Curragh but the chasing debut of Accordion Etoile will get the jumping juices flowing in Kerry.
Horse Racing Ireland yesterday announced it is starting a new Property and Commerical division which will be responsible for its property and and non-racing commerical interests. Matt O'Dwyer will head the new division. As a result the search for a new chief executive of HRI Racecourses Ltd is under way.
In other news, the new chairman of Leopardstown will be the businessman Ged Pierse. He takes over from Justice Frank Clarke.
