The international focus may be on Longchamp but there are three fixtures on the local scene, including the Cesarewitch meeting at the Curragh which can see the progressive Golden Storm confirm his punter friendliness in the big race.
Frances Crowley`s three-year-old put in the most impressive hurdling performance by a juvenile seen this season when trotting up at Listowel, and on the strength of that he was backed off the boards in a 0-90 handicap later in the week.
Golden Storm didn`t so much trot up as walk up in a display that confirmed what this horse really thrives on is soft ground. Such a surface is a probability at headquarters today and the youngster is selected ahead of Knife Edge and his fellow threeyear-olds Circus Maximus and Hill Port.
The Curragh black type action centres on the CL Weld Park Stakes, where Aidan O`Brien runs four fillies and John Oxx three. As has been the case all year, the Ballydoyle two-year-olds do look the ones to watch, and Red Coral, racing in the colours of the Manchester United Racing Club, can confirm the promise she showed on her Naas debut in June.
Oxx and John Murtagh can get a winning send off ahead of tomorrow`s Arc de Triomphe as Sinndar`s half brother, Sindapour, should have learned enough from his track debut to take the seven-furlong maiden; and the newcomer Delude wouldn`t have to be brilliant to hold a chance in the six-furlong maiden.
Up north at Down Royal, Mudaa-eb looks a stand-out bet in the mile and a half conditions race judged on his second to Shoal Creek last time; and Kevin Prendergast`s promising apprentice Pat Cosgrave can double up for the Curragh trainer in the two-year-old race on Per Amore.
The bulk of the scheuled Tipperary card has been saved for Cork tomorrow, although the chases have been lost. That will be of little concern to Dermot Weld, who gives Major Force just his second start of the season in the Coolmore Concorde Stakes.
Major Force ended last year with a 115 rating and a reputation for liking soft ground. He`s going to get that tomorrow and Pat Smullen`s presence on his back instead of on the race-fit Tarry Flynn looks significant.
