Sport

Manning looks set to partner Border Patrol at Longchamp

KEVIN MANNING could get a Group One opportunity at Longchamp on Saturday with Border Patrol looking an increasingly likely runner…

BRIAN O'CONNOR Racing Correspondent
Thu Oct 01 2009 - 01:00

KEVIN MANNING could get a Group One opportunity at Longchamp on Saturday with Border Patrol looking an increasingly likely runner in the Prix de la Foret.

Manning was on board Roger Charlton’s improving horse when successful in a Group Three at the Curragh last month and Charlton is aiming Border Patrol at a clash with Goldikova in Saturday’s seven-furlong Group One.

“We had to decide this morning to run in the Foret or the Prix Daniel Wildenstein. There were 34 left in the Wildenstein while the Foret only had 18. We opted for the Foret and 18 came out of the Wildenstein while only two came out of the Foret!” Charlton said.

“I think realistically we are racing for place money. If anything beats Goldikova it will be the best horse in the world. The going will also probably be too fast but he will have all winter to get over it,” he added.

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Manning’s agent Dave Keena indicated yesterday that the Derby winning rider will travel to Paris for the Border Patrol ride and he added: “There is a chance he will also be able to ride Clowance in a Group Two (Prix de Royallieu) on the same card.”

Manning rode Clowance into second behind Alandi in the Irish St Leger on her last start. Border Patrol’s stable companion also has an option in the Prix Royal Oak later in the month.

Sea The Stars remains a red-hot favourite for Sunday’s Arc but one man keen to take him on is Youmzain’s jockey Kieren Fallon.

The Irishman, twice on Arc winner on Hurricane Run and Dylan Thomas, said yesterday: “Watching the TV and reading the papers you would think Sea The Stars has it won already but I don’t see it like that.

“He hasn’t missed a dance all year and the winners of this race are usually trained specifically for it.

“I’m not saying Sea The Stars can’t win but he is not the good thing the media and the bookies believe.”

Dermot Weld is considering the Foret option for Famous Name on Saturday but this afternoon the Curragh trainer teams up with Ruby Walsh for Majestic Concorde in the conditions at Sligo.

Well beaten in Sunday’s Cesarewitch, Majestic Concorde is weighted to land this while Good Old Thyne looks another to follow in the second maiden hurdle.