RACING: Dermot Weld will "review" the ground conditions at the Curragh tomorrow morning ahead of Vinnie Roe's intended attempt at a second Jefferson Smurfit Irish St Leger.
The going at headquarters was "good to firm" yesterday forcing the authorities into watering the track for the first time this year.
"It's amazing. The summer has waited until September. We want to ensure there is good, safe ground so we are watering. The forecast is very good with only a slim chance of weekend rain," said the Curragh spokesman Evan Arkwright.
That was not welcome news for Dermot Weld who is planning to give the 5 to 1 Melbourne Cup favourite Vinnie Roe his final start before heading to Australia.
"It's very fast at the top of the hill and ideally he'd like a little ease in it. The straight is okay but I will review it on Saturday morning and see if it is very firm. I don't want to jar him. The intention is to run," Weld said.
The ground on the round course was good to firm when Vinnie Roe won the Leger last year, beating seven opponents.
A field of eight was declared yesterday including the Group One-winner Ballingarry from the Aidan O'Brien yard who will be ridden by Seamus Heffernan.
The three-year-old hasn't run since finishing third to High Chaparral in the Irish Derby and he will lead the classic generation against the older horses. The Irish Oaks winner Margarula also figures among the eight which include Millenary and Warrsan from Britain.
BETTING: (Paddy Power): Evs Vinnie Roe 11-4 Millenary, 7 Ballingarry and Pugin 10 Margarula 14 Warrsan, 40 Queens Wharf 50 Sadlers Wings.
Meanwhile, Weld confirmed that his smart Gowran winner Refuse To Bend will take on Van Nistelrooy and Dublin in the Aga Khan Studs National Stakes. The Curragh trainer last won Ireland's premier two-year-old race for colts with Mus-If in 1998.
Today's action is at Downpatrick where Weld runs Naahil in the opening maiden hurdle. However Norman Williamson's mount Lease might be tough to beat.
Juan Les Pins can reverse Down Royal hurdles form with Indiana Journey in the Beginners Chase and Wally Wonder looks the answer to the last.
Bargain buy Summitville staked her Classic claims with a fine staying performance to take the Group Three Rothmans Royals May Hill Stakes in the hands of Michael Fenton at Doncaster yesterday.
James Given's filly is now a 25 to 1 chance with Ladbrokes for the Sagitta 1,000 Guineas, but Paddy Power have her at 33 to 1 while Coral offer 40 to 1.
However, Given hinted that perhaps the Epsom (or Irish or French) Oaks might be the more suitable test and Ladbrokes gave her a 33 to 1 quote for the English Classic.
