RACING: Ireland's Japan Cup representative, Irresistible Jewel, has been given a favourable stall four draw in Sunday morning's big race but Dermot Weld is not under-estimating the task ahead of her.
Pat Smullen flew out to Japan yesterday for the ride on the Ribblesdale Stakes winner and is set for a positive report on the filly once he arrives.
"Irresistible Jewel is in good order and all set to go. She has settled in well and we couldn't be happier with her. It's a good draw that she has got, so we're hoping," Weld said.
However, the Irish filly has four lengths to make up on the French star Bright Sky who beat her into second in the Prix de l'Opera last month. The two other European starters are the King George hero Golan and Storming Home who won the Champion Stakes last time.
"I think she will run a big race but being realistic I suppose a share of the prize-money is what we are hoping for.
"Bright Sky will be tough to beat, as will Golan and the best of the Japanese. But there is a lot of prize-money on offer," Weld added.
The only Irish-trained horse to win the Japan Cup was Stanerra in 1983 and Weld's only previous Japanese runner was Cockney Lass who ran seventh in the big race.
The Curragh trainer's international year isn't over after Japan as he confirmed yesterday that the King George V Stakes heroine Agnetha has been invited to the big sprint race in Hong Kong in 24 days' time. Before that the Sun Chariot winner Dress To Thrill will take her chance in the Grade One Matriarch Stakes at Hollywood Park in California.
"With Banks Hill and Golden Apples in the race, it will probably decide the American turf fillies championship. But we definitely run and Pat Smullen rides," Weld said.
The same day Dress To Thrill takes on the big guns in the US, Mutakarrim will take his chance in the Royal Bond Novice Hurdle at Fairyhouse. The Cheltenham winner is likely to be Weld's only starter at the big Fairyhouse fixture.
Naas racecourse had to withstand 12mms of rain on Wednesday night ahead of its scheduled fixture tomorrow. However the track authorities are hopeful of the meeting going ahead.
Manager Margaret McGuinness said: "We wouldn't want a lot more rain but we are okay at the moment. The forecast is for bright and breezy weather so we're hopeful."
The Champion Chase runner-up Native Upmanship is being lined up to make his first start of the season in the Woodlands Park 100 Poplar Chase over two miles tomorrow.
