RACING/Tralee Preview: Reach For The Moon will be Aidan O'Brien's sole hope for a third Moyglare Stud success in a row at the Curragh on Sunday.
Just 17 were left in Ireland's premier race for juvenile fillies at yesterday's five-day stage, including four British-trained entries.
They include the Cherry Hinton third Pearl Dance and Mail The Desert, who was runner-up in last weekend's Prestige Stakes at Goodwood.
No cross-channel-trained runner has won the Moyglare since Bianca Nera in 1996.
The ground at the Curragh yesterday was "good" and a spokesman reported: "It's perfect going and it won't change by Sunday. There is only a light bit of rain forecast for Friday."
Jim Bolger has left in the Lowther runner-up Danaskaya and Dermot Weld is three handed as he goes in search of the Group One pot he won 15 years ago with Flutter Away.
However, it is O'Brien's Cork winner Reach For The Moon who will carry the Ballydoyle hopes. "We will have to see how she is but she is a possible runner," O'Brien reported.
A total of 14 horses have been left in the Group Thee Big Shuffle Flying Five, including Weld's Prix de l'Abbaye hope Agnetha.
The Nunthorpe Stakes third Indian Prince heads the English entries which also include Danehurst and Jessica's Dream.
However, Mark Johnston has already confirmed that Western Diplomat will not take up his entry in the Listed Round Tower Stakes and will wait for an alternative engagement later in the season.
There is black type action at Tralee today where the Listed Ruby Stakes highlights another eight-race card.
John Murtagh is on the easy Naas maiden winner Blatant which leaves the good ride on Czaritza to Fran Berry. However, Michael Kinane's presence on the McDonogh winner Vinthea is sure to grab the attention of punters in the build up. The John Burns filly could be the type to still improve but she will need to be in a competitive 17-strong field.
Maumee is among a number of horses top rated on 105 and he will relish the prospect of the ground drying out further.
Kinane is again on the Sadler's Wells colt Uncle Tiny in the juvenile maiden and this one looks a type to improve significantly on his Leopardstown debut.
Jimmy Mansell is in a "stable but critical" condition after his fall at Ballinrobe on Sunday. The young rider was involved in a pile-up in division two of the two-mile handicap hurdle and his mount Showboat Melody fell heavily. Mansell was knocked unconscious and was taken to Mayo General Hospital in Castlebar where he was found to have suffered serious head injuries.
He is on a life support machine and Turf Club medical officer Dr Walter Halley said yesterday: "Jimmy Mansell remains stable but is still in a critical condition in Mayo General Hospital in Castlebar. We don't expect to have further news on his condition until Thursday."
