Makhlab takes his chance

RACING: The British challenge for the Irish 2,000 Guineas continued to strengthen yesterday with the news that the Horris Hill winner, Makhlab, will take his chance.

The Barry Hills-trained colt flopped on his only start of this season in the Greenham Stakes but the Curragh authorities report him a "definite starter" in tomorrow week's Classic.

The $700,000 son of Dixieland Band could be joined by the David Elsworth-trained Norse Dancer, third in the Newmarket Guineas, and by the Free Handicap winner Indian Haven who was unlucky at Newmarket.

The latter's trainer Paul D'Arcy said the Irish Classic is being "seriously considered" for Indian Haven.

Aidan O'Brien has won the Irish 2,000 Guineas four times since 1997 and the Ballydoyle trainer has indicated that last season's unbeaten star two-year-old Statue Of Liberty could return in time for the Curragh.

Other Ballydoyle possibilities include Tomahawk and last weekend's French Guineas runner-up Catcher In The Rye.

There is black-type action at Cork this evening in the shape of the Blue Wind Stakes over a mile and a quarter.

John Oxx has three of the 10-strong field including the 106-rated four-year-old Miss Honorine who has to give weight all round.

An interesting contender, however, could be her stable companion Juliette who was not beaten that far behind the speedy Walayef in the Athasi last month.

The Sadler's Wells filly should relish the step up in trip and can add to a Fairyhouse success on her sole juvenile start.

The €32,500 pot for the Cork Handicap has attracted the 105-rated Mkuzi from the Oxx yard where his former stable mate Lowlander and Wensum Dancer, who has already won twice this week, lie in wait.

At the bottom of the handicap, however, lurks Nopekan who had far too much toe for New Currency and Englishtown at the Curragh on his sole start this season.

Get Smart won at Killarney earlier in the week and is still at the right end of the handicap in the two mile chase while better ground would suit the free wheeling Goss ideally in the Beginners Chase.

Mind The Square's length second to the high class Royal Alphabet at Galway last August makes a pretty convincing argument for the Christy Roche horse landing the bumper.