RACING: In Time's Eye will try to lose the unwanted tag of "best maiden in training" by taking on High Chaparral in the Budweiser Irish Derby, writes Brian O'Connor

The Dermot Weld-trained colt is an entry in tomorrow night's Gallinule Stakes, but the weather conditions have ruled that option out.

"He is a top-of-the-ground horse, a big and immature horse, and there is no point running him on the ground we have at the moment. We will wait for the Irish Derby," Weld said yesterday.

In Time's Eye has been runner-up in both his career starts to date, including when running High Chaparral to a length in the Derrinstown Derby Trial.

"It was encouraging to see High Chaparral run like he did in the Derby, but he has probably improved a fair bit since the Derrinstown," Weld added.

Already Cashmans bookmakers are betting on the possible clash of the Derby winners in the Curragh Classic.

They make High Chapparal 1 to 2 favourite in a match bet with the Prix du Jockey Club winner, Sulamani (6 to 4) if both run in the Irish Derby.

The current signs are not particularly encouraging about Sulamani travelling to Ireland, with connections concerned about the colt having had some hard races in a short time.

The pattern in previous clashes of the Epsom and Chantilly winners is for the English classic winner to come out on top.

Commander In Chief defeated Hernando in the 1993 Irish Derby and Generous got the better of Suave Dancer in 1991.

Despite the poor weather, the Leopardstown authorities are not expecting any problems with tomorrow night's card going ahead.

The track manager, Tom Burke, said yesterday: "Unless it gets an awful lot worse, I don't imagine any problems.

" Certainly we are not in a state of panic yet. But I don't think the ground will be any better than soft."

Ballinrobe have called a precautionary inspection for 7.30 this morning to see if this afternoon's meeting can go ahead. There are some anxieties about the weather forecast for the seven-race card.

Tupgill Tipple has won at Clonmel and Gowran Park and will be well fancied to complete a hat-trick under Tim Houlihan in the nine-furlong handicap.

The Weld-trained Minimala will try to break her duck in the maiden but could be outpointed by Bellflower, who ran an okay when fourth on her debut at Fairyhouse. Yesterday's evening meeting at Laytown was called off.

The jockeys protested that the track was dangerous and the stewards decided to abandon the meeting.