With a maiden century of winners under his belt, and a seventh jockeys title long since secured, Pat Smullen gets to relish the final date of Ireland's 2014 Flat-Turf season at Leopardstown tomorrow, leaving William Buick to take over on his old ally Pale Mimosa in the French St Leger.
Dermot Weld has turned to Buick for the mare who is chasing an elusive first Group 1 in Longchamp's €350,000 Prix Royal Oak, a race the trainer won in 2001 with Vinnie Roe. The last Irish-trained Royal Oak winner was Yeats in 2008.
Pale Mimosa is clashing again with the English star High Jinx who beat her into third in the Prix Du Cadran earlier this month. However tomorrow’s trip, which is just shy of two miles, could benefit the Irish runner who will be joined in a 13-runner field by last year’s winner Tac De Boistron and the German runner Altano.
The near-two mile €100,000 November Handicap is Leopardstown’s feature and the Weld-Smullen team will be represented by Hidden Universe who runs off a mark 4lb lower than when winning this race three years ago.
Hidden Universe found only El Salvador too good in the Curragh Cesarewitch, well clear of the disappointing favourite Clondaw Warrior. Willie Mullins's runner ruined his chance by being much too free that day and the champion jumps trainer turns to John Egan tomorrow to try and recoup losses.
Weld's Tipperary winner Zafilani could be one to step up for the nine furlong trip in the Eyrefield Stakes but there's little doubt the most interesting juvenile on show is likely to be the 3.4mGns purchase Sir Isaac Newton who makes his debut in a seven furlong maiden.
The full brother to Secret Gesture is already a general 20-1 shot for next year’s Derby and anything but a victory on his first start is likely to be deflating for plenty at Coolmore.
A drop back to seven furlongs could be just what Pour Deux requires in the fillies maiden while Hannah's Magic should be hard to beat in the ten furlong handicap having to carry only a 5lb penalty for her smooth Navan win on Wednesday.
Tony McCoy is back in action with two rides at Chepstow today. The champion jockey took a break from the saddle after feeling the effects of a crashing fall at Worcester earlier this month.
