JOHN MURTAGH enjoyed a classic weekend with Aidan O'Brien at Newmarket but back at the Curragh it looks like David Wachman could be the trainer to provide him with more big-race success courtesy of Great War Eagle in the Tetrarch Stakes.
Just six line up in the traditional Irish 2,000 Guineas trial which is one of three Group Three prizes on offer during a Coolmore-sponsored Bank Holiday Monday.
The small Tetrarch turnout prompted Ger Lyons yesterday to wonder if he picked the wrong option in testing his Royal Ascot winner Elletelle's classic claims in the Athasi Stakes rather than the colts race.
The Tetrarch looks a perfect start-off point for Great War Eagle, especially since the Wachman team have given signs in the last 10 days of starting to hit peak form. Contest won a Listed race at Cork on Friday under Murtagh and Wachman reported yesterday: "Great War Eagle has done quite well over the winter and we'll make a plan for him after this race. The ground is a bit softer than I'd like but we have to start somewhere."
In fact it looks an ideal kick-off for a classy colt against opposition that includes the unbeaten Bruges and the potential sprinter Rock Of Rochelle. Decent weather should suit Great War Eagle too.
Elletelle has 10 against her in the Athasi including the British raider Silver Touch. Lyons is using the race as a testing ground for his filly's stamina but there are no such problems for the Debutante winner Campfire Glow.
Regime is the British raider in the Mooresbridge Stakes and with former Group One winner Mount Nelson having had just one run in almost 18 months, Jim Bolger's 112 rated filly Ezima may be an option.
Kimberlite King has to concede weight in the bumper but Colm Murphy's runner has always been highly rated. Barry Geraghty pilots the good hunter Alert The Earth in the two and three quarter mile conditions hurdle at Down Royal where Paul Carberry can also succeed with Newton Bridge in the handicap chase. Ruby Walsh and Tony Martin team up for Hegrid in the Beginners Chase at Limerick but Salt Lake could be one to note.
