Kevin Prendergast has confirmed his filly Rebelline as being on track for a possible Irish Champion Stakes clash with High Chaparral and Sakhee, writes Brian O'Connor.
The only condition is an absence of fast ground but the Curragh trainer remains bullish about Rebelline who he maintains is under-rated. "Everyone seems to under-rate her but she won her three races in the spring and beat Nayef in the Tattersalls Gold Cup. In the same conditions she is always hard to beat and on soft ground, she will go to Leopardstown with a live chance," Prendergast said yesterday.
Aidan O'Brien faces a race against time to get either the double Derby winner High Chaparral or the Eclipse victor Hawk Wing to the race while Godolphin are still debating the future of Sakhee.
In comparison Rebelline's summer break has been uncomplicated and she is reported in "wonderful form". However, Prendergast added: "She will not run if its fast ground. She would want it yielding. But I watched the Voltigeur on Tuesday and watched the three year olds finishing in a heap. They all can't be champions." Prendergast has had a remarkable run with his two year olds this season, hitting the winning mark 17 times, and he will be on the big money prowl again at the Curragh on Saturday.
He looks set to run four of his five entries in the valuable Tattersalls Breeders Stakes with Plume Rouge the most likely to lose out. "They are all in different ownerships so everyone's keen to run," said Prendergast who played down his winning juvenile tally. "I haven't stopped to count. Once I start counting, they usually stop winning!"
Let's Party and Cosmo are Richard Hannon's hopes for a sixth success in seven years in the race while the Shergar Cup winner Tout Seul is another cross-channel hope.
Today's Tipperary card is all National Hunt and there will be plenty making sure they are on the track for the opening novice hurdle and the latest start of Wouldn't You Agree after his brace of victories for JP McManus at the Galway Festival.
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