The unbeaten Monashee Mountain emerged yesterday as a surprise contender for Sunday's Dubai Poule d'Essai des Poulins, the French 2,000 Guineas, at Longchamp.
The Aidan O'Brien-trained colt had been given the Irish Guineas as a target after winning the Tetrarch Stakes 10 days ago but O'Brien is now considering sending Monashee Mountain, along with Royal Kingdom, to the French race.
He said yesterday: 'It's possible Monashee Mountain will run in the French Guineas. It seems to be nice ground at the minute over there and drying out well. If he runs Michael Kinane will ride.'
With Ciro confirmed on course for the Prix Lupin on the same card, jockey plans are fluid for the Ballydoyle runners at Leopardstown on Sunday although O'Brien did confirm that Aristotle will not run in the Derrinstown Derby Trial and will instead go straight for the Epsom Derby.
Chiang Mai is in the Leopardstown 1,000 Guineas Trial but may be switched to the Lingfield Oaks Trial if the ground in England has an ease. O'Brien also reported Apollo Victoria as the most likely Ballydoyle runner in Lingfield's Derby Trial on Saturday.
The Dubai Poule d'Essai des Poulains option is also open to the Dermot Weld-trained Jammaal, Adilabad (Michael Stoute), Fanaar (Jeremy Noseda), Ekraar (Marcus Tregoning), Valentino (John Gosden) and Cape Town (Richard Hannon).
Overseas interest also hinges around Godolphin pair, Bachir and Glad Master and Italy's Blu Air Force. A total of 22 acceptors stood their ground for the race, including the first three home in the Prix de Fontainebleau, Berine's Son, Premier Pas and Slipstream King.
Considering watering turned the ground at Navan yesterday into 'yielding' from an officially forecast 'good to firm', one has to take going predictions with a couple of bucketfuls of salt but if Sligo's is correct then Stillanall can finally collect.
This will be Stillanall's fourth run of the term and if the ground at the western track is indeed 'yielding' then conditions look ideal for Pat Flynn's horse in the Harry's Bar Handicap.
Wins at Galway and Navan last year indicate a stiff six furlongs on an undulating track with give is best and although he is not well off with with Sparkling Harmony on Curragh running behind Anna Elise, Stillanall should have conditions to suit.
Challenger Two, 3lb better off for a short head with Sparkling Harmony at Cork, may want further but still looks the danger.
Elsewhere among the flat races, Golden Hind's Curragh sixth to Hardy, and a drop in trip, make him worth the nod in the Strandhill Maiden while Wire Man's versatility sees him with a chance in the apprentice handicap.
Society Blue had an unhappy experience when stumbling and unseating Neil Mulholland at Punchestown last week but can gain compensation in the Smirnoff Handicap Hurdle and Paul Carberry's booking looks significant.
