Passage of time bridges gap for Cecil

Racing News round-up: The Aidan O'Brien-trained Soldier Of Fortune had to settle for the runner-up spot in yesterday's Criterium de Saint-Cloud behind Henry Cecil's fairy-tale winner Passage Of Time.

Cecil was bridging a six-year Group One gap back to Beat Hollow's Grand Prix de Paris winner success in 2000 and Richard Hughes' mount had three-parts of a length in hand of Soldier Of Fortune at the line.

O'Brien was hoping for a third success in Europe's last Group One of 2006 but Kieren Fallon's mount couldn't match both Holy Roman Emperor and Mount Nelson, who were top-flight Ballydoyle juvenile winners in France this autumn.

"It's lovely after a quiet time for the yard and I'm delighted for Prince Khaled Abdullah as this should ensure he is leading owner in France this year," said Cecil. Britain's former champion trainer added: "She should make a lovely three-year-old and she will tell us whether to go for the Oaks or the Prix de Diane."

Two of the rising stars of the chasing game, Justified and In Compliance, remain contenders for Thursday's featured Clonmel Oil Chase. A total of 10 horses remain in the two-and-a-half-mile contest that has been won in recent years by the likes of Beef Or Salmon and Edredon Bleu.

Justified ran third to Beef Or Salmon in the James Nicholson Chase at Down Royal on his last start while In Compliance overcame a bad mistake to land a Grade Three on the same card.

The most valuable race on today's Limerick card is the mares' conditions hurdle which looks a good opportunity for Grapevine Sally to add to a good win at Clonmel on her previous start. Edward O'Grady's five-year-old was not extended to break her maiden by three lengths and looks a type to progress.

Cupid's Bow's jumps rating is not much higher than her flat mark which makes her worth a look in the handicap hurdle on the evidence of a good run at Leopardstown when only run out by Abbey Grammer.

Conor O'Dwyer's mount Chiado has to concede experience to some of the opposition in the juvenile maiden but he was the best of these on the flat and could be worth a look.