Fantastic Light to travel for Tattersalls Gold Cup

The Godolphin team have yet to decide if they will have a Classic runner at the Curragh this weekend, but spokesman Simon Crisford…

The Godolphin team have yet to decide if they will have a Classic runner at the Curragh this weekend, but spokesman Simon Crisford confirmed yesterday that Fantastic Light will run in the Tattersalls Gold Cup.

Fantastic Light, winner of the Emirates-sponsored world series last year, will be accompanied in Sunday's Group One contest by Give The Slip, who won last year's Ebor for previous trainer Amanda Perrett.

Give The Slip was a winner in Dubai in the spring, but most attention will focus on Fantastic Light, who sealed his series success by victory in Hong Kong in December and has been a top global campaigner for the last two seasons.

Also scheduled to run in the 10-furlong contest, won by Montjeu last year, is the Breeders' Cup hero, Kalanisi, with the Mooresbridge Stakes first and second, Muakaad and Bach, flying the home flag.

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Godolphin will not be represented in Sunday's Entenmann's 1,000 Guineas and a decision will be taken this evening if West Order is to be supplemented tomorrow for the 2,000 Guineas.

"He is a possible runner at the moment and nothing more. We will decide if we will supplement him or not at the close of business on Monday," said Crisford yesterday.

West Order was trained by Richard Hannon to win at Newbury and Newmarket last year and ran fifth of eight to Rumpold in a private trial at Nad Al Sheba in April.

Godolphin might not have a filly for the Sunday classic but that doesn't mean there will not be a significant overseas interest. The Michael Stoute-trained Newmarket flop, Karasta, is still in the running for the race, and John Gosden will decide midweek between the Curragh and the French Oaks on June 10th for the Newmarket fourth, Crystal Music.

This evening's fixture is at Roscommon, where the 104rated Molomo can give Muakaad and Bach a form boost by picking up the mileand- a-half maiden under Niall McCullagh.

However, the most high profile performer is in the first, where Quinze has his first race since St Stephen's Day 1999 in the conditions hurdle. On his last hurdles start, Quinze raced off a 144 mark that puts him miles clear of the opposition here, but the long absence must be a concern and a safer option for many will be Darapour.

JP McManus's colours will also be a popular fancy in the Hannon Memorial Chase with Donadino; and last year's Hannon winner, Dante's Battle, could reverse Thurles running with Balla Sola in the earlier handicap chase.

Acca's Curragh second to King Of Tara looks pretty good form now that the O'Brien runner is an unbeaten stakes winner, and the form can get another boost in the auction maiden.

Brian O'Connor

Brian O'Connor

Brian O'Connor is the racing correspondent of The Irish Times. He also writes the Tipping Point column