BOOKMAKERS RATE Washington Irving as Aidan O'Brien's number one hope for Derby glory at Epsom in June, and the Montjeu colt could have his first start of 2008 at Leopardstown on Sunday.
Washington Irving is one of five O'Brien entries for the 10-furlong Foxrock Race, which attracted an entry of 16 at yesterday's forfeit stage.
O'Brien's horse finished fourth in a Curragh maiden on his only start to date last October, but still is a general 16 to 1 fourth-favourite in ante-post betting for Epsom.
"He seems fine and he is a possible for Sunday," O'Brien said yesterday. "I wouldn't have entered any of them if they weren't possible runners."
The champion trainer has half of the 12 entries remaining in the Group Three 2,000 Guineas Trial over a mile on Sunday, a race that has also attracted the Stakes winner Lisvale from David Wachman's yard, as well as Famous Name, who was runner-up to Jupiter Pluvius in a Group Three at Leopardstown last winter.
Jim Bolger has five of the 14 entries in the Group Three 1,000 Guineas Trial over seven furlongs, including the dual-Group One winner Saoirse Abu, a 20 to 1 shot for classic glory at Newmarket next month.
Champion jump jockey Ruby Walsh returns to action after a whip ban at Gowran today, alongside his Irish National-winning colleague Paddy Flood, who also picked up a whip suspension at the Cheltenham festival.
Walsh is set to waste no time getting back into winning action, as Rosy Cyborg has a big chance in the first maiden hurdle, and the four-year-old Quevega gets a lot of weight from Mourne Rambler in the novice hurdle that could make all the difference.
Vintox was beaten a long way behind Jimmy Ber at Fairyhouse on his last start, but he ran as if the big hike to three miles for the second maiden hurdle would suit him well.
