Astronomer Royal in line for Prix Du Moulin bid

Dylan Thomas is set to lead a trio of horses from Ballydoyle that also includes Duke Of Marmalade and Red Rock Canyon into Saturday's Tattersalls Millions Irish Champion Stakes, the first leg of a potential international Group One weekend for Aidan O'Brien.

As well as the home highlight, which the champion trainer has won four times in the last seven years, O'Brien has his eyes firmly set on Sunday's Prix Du Moulin at Longchamp. But that mile event could see the French Guineas winner Astronomer Royal fly the Ballydoyle flag, with his more illustrious stable companion George Washington kept in reserve for a transatlantic raid the following weekend.

Both Astronomer Royal and George Washington are also among the 28 nominations for the $1-million Woodbine Mile in Toronto on Sunday week and the latter could make a surprise return to North America just 10 months after a failed attempt on the Breeders Cup Classic.

"They're both in a race in Canada and although nothing's certain yet, if we did separate them, and send only one to France, George is the one we'd probably wait with until the following weekend," O'Brien said yesterday.

Ad Valorem represented O'Brien in last year's renewal of the Woodbine event, where he finished third despite losing a shoe.

Final declarations for Saturday's Champion Stakes will be made today and Kieren Fallon is set to team up with last year's winner and the heavy odds-on favourite, Dylan Thomas, while Séamus Heffernan is likely to be on board Duke Of Marmalade.

O'Brien also said yesterday the maiden Red Rock Canyon is likely to be his third representative rather than Archipenko.

"We will wait until the morning before deciding things for certain but things look like being the same with Red Rock Canyon running with the two others," he said.

There was some support for the dual-classic winning filly Finsceal Beo yesterday, Paddy Power cutting Jim Bolger's star to 7 to 1 fourth favourite.

The Leopardstown track is still good to firm, and watering is expected to begin this morning.

That will be a good signal for John Oxx as he puts the finishing touches to Arch Swing's preparation for the Coolmore Fusaichi Pegasus Matron Stakes.

"The ground is looking good for her. They will water a bit but it should still be fast which should be to her liking. Everything has gone fine with her and she's had a good preparation," said Oxx yesterday.

After finishing runner-up to Finsceal Beo in the Newmarket Guineas in May, Arch Swing has run three times without success in Group One events, but with valid excuses after each of them.

Oxx revealed his smart four-year-old Danak has left his yard. "Danak has been sold and will continue his career in Dubai," said the Curragh trainer.

An English runner at Leopardstown, the Michael Bell-trained Regime, will try to redeem his reputation in the Group Three Star Air Kilternan Stakes after a poor run in France last time.

Other Irish representation at Longchamp on Sunday could come from the Eoin Griffin-trained Finicis, who is also among the nine left in the Moulin, while Robbie Osborne's Meld Stakes winner King Jock is a possible for the Group Three Prix Du Pin over seven furlongs.

Meanwhile the former Grade One-winning hurdler Travino will begin a chasing career later in the year after missing all of last season with a tendon injury, says his trainer, Mags Mullins.

Paddy Power bet: 8-11 Dylan Thomas, 5 Red Rocks, 6 Duke Of Marmalade, 7 Finsceal Beo, 8 Maraahel, 33 Archipenko, 50 Red Rock Canyon.