Racing: Aidan O'Brien will decide today how many of his five-strong entry will take part in Sunday's big race at the Curragh, but not for the first time this season his thoughts will also be dominated by One Cool Cat.
The Ballydoyle trainer still hasn't ruled out trying to regenerate the $3.1 million colt's career in the Group Three Patrick O'Leary Memorial Phoenix Stakes over six furlongs on Sunday.
Heart problems have been blamed for One Cool Cat's desperately disappointing three-year-old career which has seen him beaten in May's 2,000 Guineas and also in last month's comeback attempt in the International Stakes over a mile.
As usual, One Cool Cat has impressed his trainer on the home gallops since, and extensive monitoring of his heart has revealed no problems.
"He has been perfect since the last day," said O'Brien yesterday. The trainer, however, wouldn't go stronger than describing the double Group One winner as a "possible" for the weekend.
"He has always showed lots of class and speed at home but a decision won't be taken until later," said O'Brien, who picked up last year's Independent Waterford Wedgwood Phoenix Stakes with One Cool Cat.
That completed a remarkable six-timer in the Group One contest for the Ballydoyle stable, whose quintet for Sunday's renewal include the Anglesey winner Oratorio and Russian Blue, who landed the Marble Hill before finishing runner-up in the Railway Stakes.
Mark Johnston has entered five of the 17 remaining in the race, but reports indicate none of them will run, while the other English entry, Mystical Land, is also unlikely to travel.
That news resulted yesterday in Cashmans making the unbeaten Damson an even stronger ante-post favourite for the first juvenile Group One of the European season at 1 to 3.
Last year's Irish 1,000 Guineas winner Yesterday was described as a "possible" to return to racecourse action in the Group Two Royal Whip Stakes, where opponents could include the Melbourne Cup winner Media Puzzle and the prolific Tropical Lady.
Sunday's other Group Two pot is the Robert H Griffin Debutante Stakes, where Damson's stable companion, Luas Line, could represent David Wachman.
The Co Tipperary trainer's other juvenile filly star Intriguing is being kept in reserve for York's Lowther Stakes.
This evening just four line up for what is nevertheless an interesting two-year-old conditions race at Tipperary, where O'Brien unveils the Montjeu colt Falstaff.
It will be no easy task for the newcomer, as Defi proved too good for the highly rated Bob's Pride at Galway and Padraig Beggy takes his 7lb claim off. Hard Warrior is on a recovery mission after a flop in last weekend's Nursery at Galway, but overall Falstaff looks the one to keep an eye on.
Antrim Coast is 11lb higher in the ratings than when he won at Naas earlier in the season. His only run since was behind Ulfah, but the veteran wasn't beaten by all that much and may be interesting in the sprint handicap.
Niall McCullagh goes to Sligo where he teams up with the course and distance winner Buddy Man in the opening six furlong handicap.
Four days after Buddy Man won here off 34, he also scored by three lengths off 5lb higher at Killarney and now runs off a 50 mark that might not be enough to stop the treble.
PHOENIX STAKES BETTING
Cashmans: 1-3 Damson, 5-2 Aidan O'Brien stable, 10 Camouflage, 16 Premier Dane & Lock And Key, 20 Shamoan, 66 Billet.
