Ireland's star jumping mare Asian Maze will miss out on a trip to Royal Ascot later this month and instead has been sent on a summer break after her dismal run in France last time out.
The four-time Grade One winner trailed in last of the field in the Prix la Barka at Auteuil late last month, and on the back of that a possible attempt on the Queen Alexandra Stakes has been ruled out.
The French Champion Hurdle had also been an option for the Tom Mullins-trained mare, but that plan has also been scrapped. Now Asian Maze will get a break before being prepared for next winter's top hurdle prizes.
"If there is an excuse for her run in France, and I'm not really looking for one, it is that it was a very hot day and that might have got to her," Mullins said yesterday. "She was a small bit lame after the race, but it was only a slight muscle problem and she was sound within a few days. I wouldn't put anything down to that.
"Hopefully she will have a good summer break and then we will look to bring her back in October at Punchestown if the ground is suitable. All going well, we will look at the Hatton's Grace after that," he added.
Aidan O'Brien, already a French classic winner this year with Aussie Rules in the 2,000 Guineas, has kept the avenue open for another possible classic attempt with Queen Cleopatra in Sunday's Prix de Diane Hermes, the French Oaks, at Chantilly on Sunday.
The Irish 1,000 Guineas-third is one of 16 remaining in the mile and a quarter race, which will also include the Newmarket Guineas runner-up Confidential Lady from Mark Prescott's yard.
Two fillies have been supplemented into this weekend's classic action, including Grande Melody from the Pascal Bary yard which won the race last year with Divine Proportions.
Former Minister for Agriculture Joe Walsh has been appointed the new chairman of Cork racecourse. He takes over from Denis Cronin, who had been chairman of the Mallow track since 1996 and who now becomes a director.
The champion jockey Pat Smullen and his great rival John Murtagh are setting a scorching pace at the top of the championship table, but it could be advantage Smullen after this evening's Fairyhouse card.
Dermot Weld may be looking ahead to tomorrow night's Manhattan Handicap in New York with his 2004 Irish Derby winner Grey Swallow, but the season's leading trainer is sending a strong team to the Co Meath track, and Cinnamon Tree, for one, could be suited by the prevailing fast ground conditions in the seven-furlong maiden.
This filly was not in the stable first-string at Naas on her only start this term, but still finished ahead of stable-mate Wonder Aloud and was only beaten less than eight lengths by Hovering. There should be improvement for that run and she is preferred to the more exposed Gipsy Touch.
Weld introduces the Sinndar newcomer Go For Glamour in the mile and a half maiden, where the other debutant, Ayla, looks a more likely danger than those with form. Smullen could also hit the score-sheet in the seven-furlong handicap on board Sunday's Navan runner-up Stone Arch.
Murtagh's mount in the opener, Howya Now Kid, has had his form boosted this week by Country Song and looks better suited to fast ground than the surprise Ballinrobe winner, Cnoc Rua.
Monday's Listowel winner After Midnight carries a 6lb penalty in the opener at Wexford, but that should not be enough to put a stop to the Tony Martin-trained horse.
Davy Russell looks a significant booking for Qassas in the novice hurdle, considering he also rode last weekend's Kilbeggan winner Bartra Rock. Pacolet ran third to Carlesimo at Leopardstown two nights ago but could add to a previous Clonmel victory in the mile-and-five handicap.
Contrary to a report yesterday, jockey Simon Craig did not lodge an appeal against the 21-day ban he incurred on Schindlers Son at Limerick last month.
