Ebadiyla may also challenge for Arc

Ebadiyla is reported right on track in her bid to win a third classic in Saturday's Jefferson Smurfit Irish St Leger.

Ebadiyla is reported right on track in her bid to win a third classic in Saturday's Jefferson Smurfit Irish St Leger.

Already successful in the Irish Oaks and the French Leger last year, Ebadiyla is also being targeted at the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, although a prominent showing will be required at the Curragh.

"She is no star in her work, but she has tightened up a good bit from her last race. The idea of keeping her in training was a possible go at the Arc, but she will have to win or go down in glorious defeat in the Leger to keep the idea going," trainer John Oxx said yesterday.

Oxx will also run either Afarad or Enzeli in the Leger to guarantee a decent pace for Ebadiyla, and other confirmed home-trained runners for the final classic of the season are Quws and Dragon Triumph.

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Oxx also reported that Winona, winner of this season's Irish Oaks but a flop in Sunday's Prix Vermeille, could be campaigned in the US in October.

"The Matriarch Stakes and the Yellow Ribbon Stakes are possible targets. I wouldn't totally blame the ground for the Vermeille run, as she was also off colour for a while a month ago and it took its toll. She's been very consistent and we haven't lost faith in her yet," he said.

Aljabr, Godolphin's unbeaten juvenile, and John Gosden's Prix Morny second Exeat were among the six acceptors for Saturday's Prix de la Salamandre.

Brian O'Connor

Brian O'Connor

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