Aidan O'Brien could have his first overseas runners of 2007 in France on Sunday with Chinese Whisper a possible starter in the Group Two Prix Noailles at Longchamp.
The Ballydoyle trainer has five of the 15 entries remaining in the 10½-furlong event and they include the Royal Lodge winner Admiralofthefleet and the Beresford victor Eagle Mountain, both of whom are also engaged at Leopardstown on Saturday.
O'Brien, however, has already outlined a possible French trial route for Chinese Whisper who was Group One placed in Italy last year. The pick of the home team looks to be Spirit One who chased home Mount Nelson in last year's Criterium International.
Once Upon A Grace, an impressive maiden winner at the Curragh on her debut, is on track to try to earn a Group One ticket in Saturday's Dimitrova 1,000 Guineas Trial at Leopardstown.
"Obviously, one never knows about Group One's but she is definitely a black type filly," said trainer Frances Crowley who landed the Irish 1,000 Guineas two years ago with Saoire. "They are different types but this one would actually work better than Saoire."
Gowran hosts another all-jumps evening card where the Ruby Walsh-Tony Martin team will be fancied to score in the first handicap hurdle with the Limerick winner Psycho. Dancing Hero's form when runner-up to Ebaziyan at Thurles reads extremely well in the opening maiden hurdle but if G'Day Mate can show some of his winning bumper form he will be hard to beat. Earth Magic's 123 rating is a convincing argument in the novice hurdle, especially with a 7lb claim, and the Bowe horse looks a better option than either Charlie Yardbird or Line Ball.
Well Chief will attempt to make up for his Cheltenham Festival disappointment by running at next week's Grand National meeting or at Sandown on April 28th.
