Godolphin's booking of Jamie Spencer for Moon Ballad in Saturday week's Epsom Derby has left the way open for John Murtagh to ride Michael Kinane's "discard" in the race.
Kinane will have to choose between the Ballydoyle pair Hawk Wing and High Chaparral who dominate the ante-post market. He is expected to make his pick next week.
Spencer rode Hawk Wing in the 2,000 Guineas but was yesterday announced as being committed to the Dante winner Moon Ballad.
"He's a nice little horse and they seem to have hit it off well," declared Spencer's agent Ray Cochrane.
Aidan O'Brien was not available for comment yesterday but it is understood that Murtagh is likely to be offered the ride on whichever colt Kinane decides against.
Murtagh has enjoyed Classic success for the Ballydoyle camp already this season with Rock Of Gibraltar in the Newmarket Guineas and he also scored in last year's Irish 2,000 Guineas with Black Minnaloushe.
The Curragh maiden winner Louisville, a work companion of Hawk Wing, is also expected to take his chance in the Derby and initial reports suggest he could be ridden by Kieren Fallon.
In other news, tomorrow's scheduled meeting at Wexford was called off yesterday after an inspection found the track to be waterlogged.
Meanwhile, the Ascot Gold Cup favourite, Vinnie Roe, makes his reappearance in this evening's postponed Saval Beg Stakes at Leopardstown.
Last year's Irish and French Leger winner has to carry 10-1 in the Listed contest and is expected to improve considerably for the run.
Nevertheless, he is still 7lb better off on official ratings with the rejuvenated Holy Orders and this race may see him cut from 6 to 1 favourite for Ascot with Coral.
Michael Kinane's two visits to the Dublin track so far this term have seen him win on five of his eight mounts and the opening two races can see the season's leading rider maintain the momentum.
The Danehill filly Proud Beauty looks the likely answer to the opener and the hike in trip from his debut fourth to Petite Histoire could mean Wainwright takes the auction maiden.
The danger should come from Akanti but the Ballydoyle team will know where they stand with that one on his second to Spartacus at Gowran.
Mirpour's third to Solid Approach and Margarula at Cork reads pretty well in the context of the mile and a quarter handicap and the John Oxx runner looks the pick.
At Clonmel, the hardened handicapper Cailin's Perk faces some good bumper winners on the unfamiliar territory of the two mile flat maiden.
Her second to Patsy Veale at a rain-soaked Killarney last time was a typically tough effort and that resolution will be valuable again here.
Indy Carr was a two and a half length winner over Sea Hymn last time and has been raised 9lb for it. It still shouldn't stop the Flynn runner from figuring in the mile and a quarter handicap.
