Irish Racing: Aidan O'Brien's transatlantic reach will stretch from New York to Paris this weekend but the Ballydoyle trainer can hardly be accused of not keeping the home fires burning and has three runners in today's Curragh feature.
The controversial California- based jockey Patrick Valenzueala has stepped in for the mount on board Ace in tonight's Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Invitational at Belmont Park and the $750,000 prize looks the colt's best shout so far this season of picking up a Grade One prize.
This afternoon at Newmarket Virginia Waters returns to the scene of her greatest triumph in last May's 1,000 Guineas when she takes on Chic and Maids Causeway in the Group One Sun Chariot Stakes. O'Brien and Kieren Fallon will also be represented in the Listed Oh So Sharp Stakes by Hawk Wing's half sister Race For The Stars and by Queen Cleopatra in a maiden.
However, the main race at the Curragh is the Group Three CL Weld Park Stakes which could provide Ugo Fire with some winning reward for consistency.
Kevin Prendergast's filly boasts a 110 rating on the back of placed efforts in Group One races but Ugo Fire could be vulnerable to an improver and despite two Stakes wins already Abigail Pett may still be able to fill that role.
Abigail Pett's stable companion Good Surprise also looks one worth examining in the Listed Diamond Stakes. The topweight Cairdeas has to give 7lbs and Acropolis looks out of form.
The winter game really cranks up at Tipperary tomorrow with the Grade One John James McManus Memorial Hurdle and an unstable weather forecast looks like providing Solerina with the ground conditions to again beat Harchibald.
Ruby Walsh is a significant booking for Hardwick in the novice hurdle while soft ground will be no problem to Mustameet in the Group Three Concorde Stakes.
Chiado looks worthy of note in the El Gran Senor Stakes.
