Cool Cat set for Curragh

Racing News and preview: The 2,000 Guineas flop One Cool Cat is being prepared for a comeback at the Curragh next weekend.

Racing News and preview: The 2,000 Guineas flop One Cool Cat is being prepared for a comeback at the Curragh next weekend.

Aidan O'Brien reported yesterday that the Storm Cat colt will be targeted at the Group Three Ladbrokes.com International Stakes on Saturday.

One Cool Cat was a huge disappointment when beaten at Newmarket in May and was afterwards found to be suffering from an irregular heartbeat.

The Ballydoyle team blamed that on a collision with the starting stalls but One Cool Cat subsequently missed out on the Irish Guineas after scoping badly before the race.

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"We will start him off back at the Curragh over a mile. He is in very good form, has been working well and we've been very pleased with him," O'Brien said.

Next weekend's feature is the Darley Irish Oaks, one of the few major races that O'Brien has yet to win, but the trainer will be doubly represented in Sunday's highlight.

All Too Beautiful, a seven length second to Ouija Board in the Epsom Oaks, will take on the winner again at the Curragh.

"All Too Beautiful will run as will Agenda. They are in good form and working well," said O'Brien who will not run Necklace in the Oaks.

Ouija Board will have to be supplemented into the classic at a cost of €40,000 on Tuesday but is already an odds on favourite with Cashmans to double up.

The Irish action today is at Down Royal and Happy At Last can strike a blow for the classic generation in the mile and a half handicap.

The three-year-old ran a fine race when runner-up to Rich Sense in the Apprentice Derby at the Curragh and she looks to be still on the improve in what will be just her fifth career start.

Her stable companion Cautiously could be the main danger to the luckless Kilmore Princess in the fillies maiden but this looks like it could be the Halford filly's day.

Smarty Jones, winner of the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes, is set to make his racecourse reappearance in the Grade Two Pennsylvania Derby at Philadelphia Park on September 6th.

Brian O'Connor

Brian O'Connor

Brian O'Connor is the racing correspondent of The Irish Times. He also writes the Tipping Point column