Aidan O'Brien has confirmed that Galileo is on track for Saturday's King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes, a race that was described yesterday as "the race of the year".
The participation of Michael Kinane depends on Thursday's Turf Club appeal, but O'Brien said yesterday: "If all is well with Galileo, the plan is to run at Ascot." That finally ruled out any chance of Kinane's possible absence affecting Galileo's presence in the mid-summer showpiece for which he remains a 1 to 2 favourite.
The Ballydoyle trainer declined to speculate on who might replace Kinane if the jockey's appeal against the severity of the two-day ban picked up last week doesn't succeed. Johnny Murtagh remains on most people's lips as the man most likely to benefit, however.
Galileo's main challenge on Saturday is set to come from Fantastic Light and the Godolphin runner has been pleasing his trainer Saeed Bin Suroor in the build-up to the much-anticipated clash of the generations.
"Fantastic Light cantered yesterday, worked two days before that when Frankie (Dettori) rode him and he worked really very good," said Bin Suroor. "I think it is the race of year."
The Ascot authorities are delaying before deciding on watering the track and a spokesman said: "It is lovely ground at the moment, good to firm and good in places, and we want to prevent it getting too firm."
The Paddy Power betting is: 1 to 2 Galileo, 9 to 4 Fantastic Light, 9 to 1 Anabaa Blue, 12 to 1 Mutamam, 14 to 1 Morshdi, 16 to 1 Bar.
The first of two fixtures at Ballinrobe gets under way this evening and the punters can get off to a perfect start as Harlenog bids to repeat her success of last year in the six-furlong handicap.
The mare is ideally suited by front running over a tight track, is proven with cut in the ground and is now back to a mark similar to when she won at Tralee last August.
Society Blue is in wining form from Killarney last week when beating Johnny Ringo by a length over hurdles. Lord Fleet, winner of a Downpatrick hurdle at the start of June, looks another intriguing runner for the Beginners chase but Society Blue is just preferred.
Street Player was a disappointment when beaten by Countess Sybil at Killarney last week and goes again in the two-mile maiden here. In the circumstances the good hurdler Indalo Grey could be a better alternative.
JP McManus enjoyed a successful visit to Tipperary yesterday when his colours were carried to victory in the three featured races by Grimes, Fier Goumier and Saor Theas.
Grimes recorded a bloodless win when making all in the Betdaq Hurdle. The two-mile event was greatly devalued as a spectacle when main market rival Quinze fell at the fifth, and the Charlie Swan-ridden 4 to 7 chance was left clear after Kilcash Castle also fell.
Christy Roche is considering an ambitious campaign at Galway for the winner saying: "I believe he could run in both the Plate and the Hurdle. If he runs in the Plate he would also be declared for the Hurdle, but I will leave it up to JP to make the final decision. They are two great pots."
The Handicap Chase proved a far more competitive affair, with most of the eight runners in contention at the final fence. Colins Double led at this point, but could only manage sixth place after a bad blunder.
Fier Goumier quickened up nicely on the run-in under Conor O'Dwyer to land the spoils by two lengths from River Cora.
"That was a good performance, and he will be switched back to hurdles for a two and a half miles race on the Thursday of Galway week," said trainer Arthur Moore, who had mixed fortunes as Royal Marine broke his neck when falling at the last.
Saor Theas, also trained by Roche, completed a great day for McManus when making all under Paul Moloney for a two-length verdict over Mail Man in the O'Callaghan Hotels Hurdle.
