RACING: The Irish Oaks winner Vintage Tipple is set to return to the course and distance of her greatest triumph for her final run of 2003
The Paddy Mullins-trained filly will miss Sunday's Group One Prix de l'Opera at Longchamp and instead is likely to run at the Curragh in nine days time in a Listed race.
The 12-furlong Rathbarry Stud-Barathea Finale Stakes has been targeted by the Mullins camp for Vintage Tipple, who hasn't run since finishing all but tailed off in the Irish Champion Stakes.
"Her blood was down for a few days after that race but that is the only thing we could find that might explain why she ran the way she did. But it is back up 100 per cent now," said Tom Mullins yesterday.
A decision as to whether or not Vintage Tipple will race as a four-year-old has yet to be made but Mullins conceded that "there is a good possibility she will run at four". He added: "We will have to talk with the owner (Patrick O'Donovan) and thrash it out but it is possible.
"I don't think my father is anxious to cross any water with the filly this year so the Curragh will probably be it for this season. If she stays in training we will see about running her abroad then."
Vintage Tipple's absence from Longchamp only partially dilutes the Irish challenge for the Arc meeting this weekend.
Johnny Murtagh, free to ride because of there being no flat racing in Ireland on Saturday, will partner Chancellor for Barry Hills in the Prix Dollar.
Murtagh's main employer, John Oxx, also has Sea Dart in the Prix Daniel Wildenstein and Cruzspiel in the Group Two Prix Hubert de Chaudenay over 15 furlongs.
Aidan O'Brien's formidable team is headed by the Arc-bound High Chaparral and Black Sam Bellamy but the Ballydoyle trainer will also be on the Group One trail in Sunday's main supporting races.
Yesterday, runner-up in the Prix Vermeille last month, drops back to a mile and a quarter for the Prix de L'Opera, while Necklace has the one-mile Prix Marcel Boussac in her sights.
The final make-up of the Ballydoyle squad for the Prix Dean Luc Lagadere, formerly the Grand Criterium, will be known this morning at declaration time but the Leopardstown winner Tycoon is a likely starter.
Dermot Weld has Grey Swallow in that race and Humilis in Saturday's Prix de Royallieu as well as Vinnie Roe in the Arc.
