Michael Kinane is scheduled to make his long-awaited comeback to the saddle at Naas this evening, just four days ahead of taking the coveted mount on Montjeu in the King George.
The champion jockey has been on the sidelines for 25 days since aggravating a back problem riding Spinning Top in the Pretty Polly Stakes on Derby weekend and is set to relive a reminder of that black day on Freud.
The full brother to Giant's Causeway started a 1 to 5 favourite to make a winning debut at the Curragh but got run out of it by half a length by Blixen. It was an expensive and frustrating experience but one that can be rectified in this evening's six-furlong maiden, the race that Giant's Causeway won last year.
As for Montjeu, a best-priced 8 to 11 favourite with Coral to notch a sixth Group One victory of his career on Saturday, Kinane's agent John Shortt commented yesterday: 'I haven't spoken to Michael in a couple of days but he was planning to ride Montjeu and as far as I know he will be on Montjeu on Saturday.'
Kinane's lead at the top of the Irish jockeys' table has been whittled away by Pat Smullen and John Murtagh during his absence, but as well as Freud this evening, Kinane can also hit the score sheet, courtesy of Molly-O in the mile handicap.
Michael Halford's string are in good form and Molly-O contributed to the Curragh trainer's total on fast ground at Killarney earlier in the season. That ability to handle the going will be in her favour, with the Naas authorities watering the officially 'firm' surface, and on some of her form, Molly-O is quite well in here. Last year's winner Markskeepingfaith could again go close, too.
John Oxx has reportedly booked Jimmy Fortune to ride 100 to 1 shot Raypour in the King George, but looks to have much more realistic chances of scoring in with Polish Panache in the opening apprentice race here. This gelding ran behind the cream of Ballydoyle's juveniles last year, including Monashee Mountain and Lermontov, to earn a 105 rating; and lived up to that by chasing home the smart Muakaad at Leopardstown last week.
The 4 to 11 'good thing' La Serina golt turned over in this race last season, but Polish Pa- nache has that good run behind Muakaad under his belt and also has the talented Mary Williamson on his back. He cannot be opposed. Dermot Weld's Last Call takes an 80 rating into the five-furlong handicap and is sure to be fancied, but it could be worth forgiving Pipisflying a disappointing effort at Bellewstown, considering she ran Conormara, now rated 105, to a short head here over six furlongs on her debut.
Effusive humped 12st to an easy win at Killarney last week and the 6lb penalty shouldn't stop the rangy gelding from following up in the handicap hurdle.
