Grey could miss out

Racing News and preview: Dermot Weld has revealed that Grey Swallow could miss out on Saturday's Boylesports Irish 2,000 Guineas if the ground at the Curragh turns too firm.

The going at headquarters is currently "good to firm" but with a warm weekend forecast Weld has pinpointed a French alternative if Grey Swallow can't meet his local date.

"Grey Swallow would not want it too firm in the Guineas and if it gets like that I would look at the Group One Prix Jean Prat at Chantilly on French Derby day (June 6th). It's usually good ground there," the trainer said yesterday.

"It's dull enough here at the moment but it is due to get warm at the weekend. My preference is to stay at the Curragh but if it is firm I would probably go for the Jean Prat," he added.

The Curragh authorities began watering the straight Guineas course yesterday with 8mms put on but course manager Paul Hensey ruled out any dramatic increase of the watering policy.

"Our objective is to have safe ground but we don't want to alter it too much. Soft ground horses might want more of a cut but my policy is to keep it safe," he said.

The ante-post favourite Azamour drifted slightly to 9 to 4 with Paddy Power yesterday but John Oxx dismissed any fears about the going for his colt.

"He hasn't run on firm, and he might love it, but I would like it more good than firm. However, they are watering away and I'm not concerned. Certainly I would like it more fast than soft," Oxx said.

The main British contender for Saturday's Guineas is Brian Meehan's Leitrim House who won the Tetrarch Stakes on the course last time.

Meehan, who will be having his first runner in an Irish Classic, said yesterday: "He has done his last bit of work and went really well. He's in great shape.

"Leitrim House is a top of the ground horses so obviously we don't want rain but he is a good horse and is improving all the time.

"I thought a lot of him last year. He ran in the Chamagne at Doncaster and wasn't beaten far but the ground was all against him and basically that was my fault. I think he will take plenty of beating."

Another cross-channel raiderwill be James Toller's Bachelor Duke who ran seventh to Haafhd in the Newmarket Guineas.

A spokesperson for Toller said: "We were a little concerned earlier in the week but we're more positive now and he will definitely take his chance. He's a top of the ground horse."

The Toller-trained Hanami, winner of the Pretty Polly on the track last year, is a likely starter in the Group Two Ridgewood Pearl Stakes on Saturday.

The mover in the market for Sunday's 1,000 Guineas has been the favourite Attraction who was cut by Paddy Power from 9 to 4 to 7 to 4 yesterday.