Fallon gets plum ride on favourite Damson

Racing News round-up: Kieren Fallon will ride the unbeaten Damson in Sunday's big race at the Curragh, where the enigmatic One Cool Cat may yet get one more chance to re-establish his crumbling reputation.

Aidan O'Brien has left One Cool Cat in the six-furlong Group Three Patrick O'Leary Memorial Phoenix Stakes in the hope a return to sprint distances may yet turn the colt's season around.

Heart problems have been blamed for his disappointing efforts in two races this year, and One Cool Cat's last run left O'Brien stunned as he trailed home in the Group Three International Stakes over a mile last month.

Fifteen entries have been left in the race, but the July Cup runner-up Ashdown Express is reportedly more likely to take the Prix Maurice du Gheest route at Deauville on the same day.

It's a far cry from 2003, when One Cool Cat established his Group One reputation with success in the Independent Waterford Wedgwood Phoenix Stakes.

Now the horse with the huge reputation is Damson, whose sparkling Queen Mary success at Royal Ascot propelled her to the top of the 1,000 Guineas betting.

Jamie Spencer has ridden her in all three starts to date, but Fallon will take over for her first race against the colts.

"Jamie is retained by Aidan (O'Brien) and Kieren is a very good man to have on your side," said Damson's trainer, David Wachman, yesterday.

"It's her first time against colts and I'm always hopeful rather than confident. It was very fast ground at Ascot so I don't think there will be any excuses at the Curragh," he added.

The Curragh authorities watered both the straight and round courses yesterday and the ground description is currently "good to firm".

Course manager Paul Hensey said: "We've started watering because we want to keep the ground safe.

"It will be Thursday before we see any sort of significant rain, so we made the decision to water. We will put on up to 10 millimetres today."

Seventeen entries remain in the first Group One of the European season for juveniles, and they include five from Ballydoyle as O'Brien goes in search of a remarkable seventh successive win in the race.

The Ballydoyle quintet are headed by the Marble Hill winner Russian Blue, the Anglesey victor Oratorio and Carnegie Hall, who won his sole start to date over seven furlongs.

Mark Johnston has left four in the race, including Joseph Henry, who has won both his starts, and King Of Love, who won his only race, at Carlisle.

The only other English-trained entry is John Gosden's Mystical Land, who was a neck second in last week's Richmond Stakes at Goodwood, and Cashmans reacted by installing Damson as their 1-2 favourite for Sunday.

Meanwhile, Media Puzzle may not be the only returning star in the Group Two Royal Whip, as the former Melbourne Cup winner could be joined by last year's Irish 1,000 Guineas heroine Yesterday.

The O'Brien filly was lucky to survive colitis at the start of the season but is one of six Ballydoyle entries for the Royal Whip, won in 2003 by High Chaparral.

Last year's runner-up, Imperial Dancer, is one of two Mick Channon entries.

Tonight's action features a rare visit to Sligo by champion jockey Michael Kinane, and he can make it count with Tuckerman in the mile-and-a-half maiden.

Baikal wasn't that far behind Swiss Roll on the flat at Galway last week and returns to jumping for the first time since three quick starts in maiden hurdles in April.

Conor O'Dwyer's mount goes in the handicap hurdle and his flat rating suggests he can win.

In the bumper, Omas Leader is hard to oppose. PHOENIX STAKES (Cashmans): 1-2 Damson, 4 Aidan O'Brien stable and Mark Johnston stable, 12 Yaria, 20 Premier Dane, 25 Shamoan, 100 Billet.