RACING: Aidan O'Brien has conceded he is facing a battle with time to have the dual Derby winner High Chaparral ready for the Irish Champion Stakes.
There are just 23 days until the Leopardstown Group One contest, which has been the intended target for High Chaparral since winning at the Curragh.
The Sadler's Wells colt is still on a break as a coughing bout shows no sign of abating at the Ballydoyle yard.
Asked yesterday if the time factor is now a worry, O'Brien replied: "Of course it is. We are hoping to get some of them back for the Food Island Champion Stakes but we don't know yet if we will be able to.
"We will have to wait and see. When it stops, we will see how they are and hope we will be able to get something back for the race."
The Eclipse winner Hawk Wing, runner-up to High Chaparral in the Epsom Derby, has also coughed during the outbreak, as has the top filly Sophisticat.
The Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe is an end-of-season option for High Chaparral but when asked if the Paris highlight remains the colt's main target, O'Brien said: "We will just take one race at a time."
Pat Smullen will make the dash back to Leopardstown's Sunday card, having ridden Jazz Beat in Saturday night's Secretariat Stakes in Chicago.
Waiting for him at the Dublin track will be Dress To Thrill in the Desmond Stakes and possibly Vinnie Roe in the Ballyroan Stakes.
"Vinnie Roe will run in that or in the Ballycullen Stakes at Fairyhouse the following Sunday. I would think he is slightly more likely to run at Leopardstown but we'll decide on his fitness and the likely ground on Friday," said Dermot Weld yesterday.
The Tramore four-day summer festival kicks off this afternoon with as trappy a card.
The best chance of a bet, however, could come in the mile and six handicap, where Albrighton goes for a second success in a week.
The Noel Meade-trained horse gave a glimpse of his former English form when trotting up by nine lengths at Sligo under a motionless Fran Berry.
Albrighton is 15lb higher in the ratings now but even allowing for that, he still has plenty in hand on some of his English form.
