Montjeu a certainty for Curragh's Gold Cup

Montjeu has been confirmed a definite runner in next weekend's Tattersalls Gold Cup at the Curragh. The Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe winner will return to the track where he brilliantly won last year's Irish Derby after delighting his trainer John Hammond in his recent work.

"Montjeu will go to the Curragh and we'll see how he comes out of that race before making any further plans. The colt appears to be on top of the game," said Hammond.

The 10-furlong Group One race in eight days time will be Montjeu's first since he ran fourth in last November's Japan Cup.

The contrast between Montjeu and his ilk and the absolute godawfulness of most of the fare being thrown at Irish racegoers this weekend could hardly be more pronounced. It really is a case of never mind the quality, feel the width.

This afternoon's sole fixture at Downpatrick will be defended with the "these horses have to have chances too" and the "a winner is a winner" arguments, but this really is awful stuff.

Using the "winner is a winner" logic however it might just be worth waiting until the bumper for Ballylennonleader.

Fifth at Cork last time behind Sparkling Gold, Ballylennonleader was beaten just a neck at Listowel before that and a repeat of that kind of effort could see him get the better of the English-trained King Bavard, whose placed efforts have come at the likes of Carlisle and Catterick.

Nero's Dancer's winning bracket came in a Fairyhouse charity event last month. She ran a reasonable second to Amocachi at Sligo and may hit the mark in the 13-furlong handicap.

There's another eight-race marathon at Navan tomorrow and the all-National Hunt card has attracted Norman Williamson and Adrian Maguire from Britain.

Maguire has the ride on Magua in the £10,000 handicap hurdle and this one disappointed slightly behind Killultagh Storm at the Punchestown festival. Williamson's mount Akasian and stablemate Gift Token have to be watched but Magua could be the solution.

Pat Hughes has a busy day as he must be fancied to take the opening division of the maiden hurdle courtesy of Kimberley, while at Clonmel he can also be on the mark in the opening race with the Cork winner Shanillo.

As if they are not enough, Hughes also saddles Wednesday's Gowran winner Copernicus in the two-mile handicap at Clonmel and this one is fancied to deal with the Willie Mullins-trained quartet scheduled to oppose.

Back at Navan, another trainer that can strike profitably is Jessica Harrington who saddles Native Cynic for the Beginners Chase and, interestingly, she gives Enterprising a run in the second division of the maiden hurdle. Both should at least go close.