BALLINROBE KICKS off the racing week this afternoon but it will wind up at the Curragh on Sunday with a bonanza €3.5 million card that could include Sea The Stars putting his classic credentials on the line.
The John Oxx-trained half brother to Galileo is set to take part in the Group Two Juddmonte Beresford Stakes and an impressive victory will result in a contraction of his odds for next year's Derby.
"The forecast looks like being pretty good so if the ground is okay the Beresford looks a suitable opportunity for him," Oxx said.
The Beresford might have the Group race kudos but the big money will be on offer in the two Parknasilla Hotel Goffs Million races which along with the Sportsman Challenge on the same card are worth a total of €3.3 million.
Both the colts and fillies races are worth a million each to the winner and the home team will be hoping to do better in the male event which resulted in a 1-2-3 for British raiders last year.
Paul Cole trained the winner Luck Money and his Sultan's Way is among the 48 entries in line for a shot at a financial windfall.
Also among the entry are the Railway Stakes runner-up Alhaban who hasn't run since finishing last in the Phoenix Stakes and Jim Bolger's pair, Gan Amhras and Intense Focus.
Bolger landed the fillies jackpot last year when Lush Lashes beat Carribean Sunset in a high-class renewal and a total of 46 hopefuls are in line for the 2008 renewal.
Sunday's other card is at Tipperary where the prolific Jumbajukiba could attempt a fifth Group Three success in the Concorde Stakes.
His trainer Jessica Harrington said: "He has come out of his last race grand and he will probably go for the Concorde at Tipperary. Then there is the Navigation Stakes at Cork for us to consider."
In other news Tommy Stack's St Leger runner-up Unsung Heroine could make her next start at Newmarket on Champions Day with a spokesman reporting: "She is very well and if she is going to run again anywhere this season it will be in the Park Stakes.
"We will give her a piece of work in a couple of weeks and make a decision."
Davy Condon teams up with Willie Mullins at Ballinrobe for the mount on Keaveney in the Beginners Chase and the horse can make it third time lucky on his comeback.
Keaveney returned from over two years on the sidelines this summer but looked to fluff a winning chance at Roscommon when falling in the race won by Holly Tree.
The former high-class flat performer Quinmaster is an intriguing opponent but he hasn't looked the same horse over obstacles.
Condon will also fancy his chances in the maiden hurdle on board Total Excitement.
Tom Cooper's six-year old has had a good time on the flat this summer including winning last time at Wexford.
This looks a good opportunity to successfully return to the winter game.
Oxalido has turned into a Ballinrobe specialist, winning his last three starts at the Co Mayo track, and despite top-weight can continue the hot streak in the concluding handicap hurdle.
