RACING:JAMIE SPENCER hopes last year's Irish Derby hero Cape Blanco can secure a third career Group One triumph when he lines up against six opponents in Longchamp's Prix Ganay this afternoon, writes Brian O'Connor.
The €300,000 event run over 10-and-a-half furlongs was won by Aidan O’Brien with Dylan Thomas (2007) and Duke Of Marmalade (2008), and Ireland’s champion trainer is giving Cape Blanco a second start in 2011.
The chestnut, who races in the colours of Dubai-based Fitri Hay, finished a fine fourth under Spencer in last month’s Dubai World Cup at Meydan and returns to turf racing today.
Cape Blanco has been installed as a second favourite for the Ganay by some bookmakers, with local hope Planteur heading the betting after an impressive return to action under his new jockey, Christophe Soumillon.
Today’s home action at Dundalk also includes a number of O’Brien-trained hopefuls, including President Lincoln, who lines up for the concluding handicap after a luckless run at Leopardstown last time.
Last year’s Derrinstown Derby Trial runner-up Address Unknown should be capable of coping with the British raider Bikini Babe in the conditions race, while Danziger can make it third time lucky in the juvenile maiden.
