O'Brien looks to France

News round-up: The Aidan O'Brien team were out of luck in America's Breeders' Cup and Australia's Melbourne Cup, but look set to try to successfully bring the curtain down on Europe's Group One year in France on Sunday.

Last Sunday's Eyrefield Stakes winner Anton Chekov is one of a number of Ballydoyle-trained entries for the Grand Criterium de Saint Cloud over 10 furlongs at the weekend.

Also among the possible O'Brien starters are the Beresford winner Eagle Mountain and the impressive maiden scorer Soldier Of Fortune.

The last Group One of the European season has been good to O'Brien in the past with both Ballingarry (2001) and Alberto Giacometti (2003) winning over the Saint-Cloud track.

"It hasn't been decided for definite but Aidan has been talking about sending something for the race," a spokesman said yesterday. "The situation should become clearer at the forfeit stage."

Stud fees for some recently retired O'Brien stars have been announced with George Washington standing at a €60,000 fee for his first season as a stallion.

The 2,000 Guineas winner will be joined at Coolmore by his stable companions Ad Valorem and Aussie Rules who will both stand at €15,000.

The Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe winner Hurricane Run, unplaced in the Breeders' Cup Turf on Saturday night, has a €30,000 fee.

The former dual-Champion Hurdler Hardy Eustace is on schedule to take part in Sunday's Grade Two Philips Electronics Lismullen Hurdle at Navan.

Dessie Hughes's star is one of 15 horses left in the race after yesterday's forfeit stage, an entry that also includes Sunday's November Handicap runner-up Al Eile.

Fota Island, runner-up to Newmill in the Champion Chase at Cheltenham, is an entry in the Grade Two Fortria Chase that has also attracted Watson Lake and Central House while Edward O'Grady's smart young hurdlers, Catch Me and Clopf, are both among the possibles for the For Auction Novice Hurdle.

Today's action at Fairyhouse sees the smart dual-purpose runner Power Elite make his debut over fences in the novice chase.

Justpourit provides a standard, having run behind Mattock Ranger at Punchestown, but the biggest threat of all could be last season's smart novice hurdler Wanango who represents Tommy Stack's yard.

Chicago Vic ran a fine race behind Ballyagran at Listowel and looks to have a very solid shout in the mares Beginners Chase while Cruzspiel's return to Ireland, after winning over flights in Britain last year, should be a winning one in the conditions hurdle.