A SETBACK has ruled Quevega out of tomorrow’s French Champion Hurdle but old rivals Jumbo Rio and Mourad will still fly the Irish flag in Grade One action at Auteuil.
Both horses figure among 11 lining up for the €270,00 Prix Alain Du Breil, the French equivalent of the Triumph Hurdle.
It will be the fifth time the Irish pair have clashed in the last six months, including a controversial race on New Year’s Eve when Jumbo Rio edged out Mourad at Punchestown only to lose the race on an appeal.
The Edward O’Grady-trained horse did, however, land a Grade One prize at Punchestown last month when beating Mourad by four lengths and will again be ridden by Andrew McNamara tomorrow.
Jumbo Rio warmed up for this weekend with a second to the top French four-year-old Rendons Grace at Auteuil three weeks ago and Mourad’s trainer Willie Mullins believes the local star again looks the one to beat.
“Mourad is in good form and David Casey will ride him. Ruby (Walsh) has been riding out for the last few days but isn’t happy he is fit enough and will probably give it a week or so more,” Ireland’s champion National Hunt trainer said yesterday.
“Quevega injured a hind leg in her final piece of work and we have put her away for next season,” he added.
This weekend’s feature in Ireland is today’s Specsavers Ulster Derby at Down Royal which sees Changingoftheguard go north from Ballydoyle rather than taking up a number of possible engagements at Royal Ascot.
Races like the Hampton Court were open to Changingoftheguard, who broke his maiden in easy style at Navan eight days ago, and several good judges reckoned he would be a contender in a number of handicaps at Ascot.
However, Aidan O’Brien has kept him in reserve for this €70,000 pot and the decision to stay at home can pay off.
Down Royal also races tomorrow, where Kaitlins Joy can go close in the Ulster Oaks and Macs Flamingo could thrive on fast ground conditions, while the Punchestown Festival winner, Truckers Delight, may be the horse to follow in the two-mile flat handicap at Gowran.
