Ebadiyla on target for final Classic

Ebadiyla, the winner of the 1997 Irish Oaks, is on course to bid for next Saturday's Jefferson Smurfit Irish St Leger at the Curragh.

She is reported all the better for last month's second to On Call in a listed race at Leopardstown, her first run for 10 weeks.

"Ebadiyla is on target for the Irish St Leger," her trainer, John Oxx, said yesterday. "She needed the race badly last time and she has been sharpened up well."

Cashmans bookmakers make Ebadiyla and the John Dunlop-trained Silver Patriarch 2 to 1 joint favourites for the Classic.

Last year's Doncaster St Leger hero had Ebadiyla one-and-a-half lengths back in third place when winning the Coronation Cup at Epsom in June.

This year's Ascot Gold Cup winner, Kayf Tara, who will represent Godolphin, is an 11 to 4 chance.

Ebadiyla's stable companion, Winona, may have run her last race in Europe when well beaten in Sunday's Prix Vermeille at Longchamp.

She is likely to be given a break before being prepared for a US campaign in November. Her trainer has ruled out a tilt at a big autumn prize in Europe after the filly beat only two home in the 11-runner Vermeille.

"She seems fine but she just ran a bit flat," Oxx said. "She had a major setback a month ago and she appeared well in the last two weeks but I think the race came too soon."