RACING: Ivan Denisovich will try to secure a first ever July Stakes for Aidan O'Brien at Newmarket today but the Ballydoyle trainer hasn't ruled his star older horse Yeats out of following in some illustrious footsteps in the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes at the end of the month.
Yeats was a smooth winner of the Coronation Cup at Epsom but was a major disappointment when travelling to France 10 days ago and beating only two home behind Alkaased in the Grand Prix de St Cloud.
Nevertheless, Yeats remains in the King George betting and O'Brien yesterday didn't rule out the chances of the Sadler's Wells colt trying to follow the example of the Ballydoyle trainer's only previous winner of the midsummer highlight, Galileo (2001).
"His run in France was disappointing and we have found no reason for it. The ground was nice so I don't think it was that and Ascot is still a possible for the horse," he said.
O'Brien had another Group One reverse in France last Sunday as Ad Valorem failed to fire in the Prix Jean Prat and no firm plans have been made for the Danzig colt's next race. However, there is no such uncertainty about the Eclipse winner Oratorio.
"The Sussex is the race we are looking at. I don't think the drop back to a mile will be a problem. He is such a tough horse," said O'Brien who already has the favourite for next year's 2,000 Guineas in George Washington.
The Railway Stakes winner was cut further yesterday to as low as 12 to 1 favourite with Boylesports for the 2006 Guineas and George Washington could step up to Group One level for his next start in the Phoenix Stakes.
Last year's Oaks runner-up, All Too Beautiful, missed out on the Pretty Polly Stakes when she came into season but could return to the track in the Nassau Stakes at Goodwood at the end of the month.
There will be no Group One action in Ireland at the weekend but the feature at Tipperary on Sunday will be the €70,000 Betdaq.com Hurdle for which a total of 14 horses were left in at yesterday's forfeit stage.
Last year's winner Accordion Etoile features among the 14 but the most eye-catching entry looks to be Rock And Palm who could be a rare French runner at the track.
Trained by Melle Marie Oget, Rock And Palm has a link with Irish form having won the Prix la Barka at Autueil in May with the Hennessy winner Rule Supreme back in third.
Also in the race is last year's Galway Plate winner Ansar who also has an entry in a chase on the same card.
This evening's action at Naas can see Namaya make it third time lucky in the six-furlong maiden despite the presence of the Ballydoyle newcomer Nero.
The O'Brien runner is by Giant's Causeway who made his own winning debut at this track but Namaya's experience from two starts can prove decisive.
A fourth at Navan first time out was improved upon significantly when Namaya ran at the Curragh on Derby day and was a fast finishing third to George Washington in the Group Two Railway Stakes.
He gave the impression that seven furlongs will be no problem to him already but this six will not be an issue and Namaya can provide Jim Bolger with partial compensation for Alexander Goldrun's defeat at Newmarket yesterday where he finished a gallant two-and-a-half-length runner-up to Soviet Song.
Dafarabad's second start last season was a good one at the Curragh and a repeat of that sort of form in the 10-furlong maiden can see him make a winning start to his three-year-old career.
Kerania has a first ever start in the fillies maiden, but the Daylami filly may be up to coping with the experienced National Swagger.
Cougar Cat's two starts to date this season have been in France and not been particularly inspiring. But the 107 rating he brings into the six-furlong conditions race is hard to argue with.
Donna Blini, trained by Brian Meehan, earned a general 33 to 1 quote for next year's 1,000 Guineas after showing plenty of guts to land the Chippenham Lodge Stud Cherry Hinton Stakes at Newmarket yesterday under a fine ride by Michael Kinane.
