Flag Of Honour© Photo Healy Racing
Aidan O’Brien is looking forward to stepping Flag Of Honour up to a mile and three-quarters for the Comer Group International Curragh Cup at the County Kildare course on Sunday.
The son of Galileo could never get into contention in the French Derby on his latest start, but he finished well to suggest this longer trip might suit.
“He’s in good form. It’s a step up in trip, but we’ve always thought he’d stay and it will be interesting,” said O’Brien.
“He seems to be in good form since France.”
Ryan Moore teams up with Flag Of Honour, while Seamie Heffernan will be aboard Giuseppe Garibaldi as the Ballydoyle trainer bids to win this Group Two race for a sixth time.
Giuseppe Garibaldi showed a good level of form when third to Old Persian in the King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot last week.
The trip should no fears as he was successful over one mile and five furlongs at Navan four weeks ago.
“He’s won over a mile-and-five in Navan and he ran well in Ascot where he was coming home very well,” said O’Brien.
“He seems to have come out of that race well.”
Cork maiden winner Victory Salute the mount of Wayne Lordan, makes up the Ballydoyle trio.
O’Brien’s son, Joseph was successful with Rekindling in this race 12 months ago and this time looks to Drapers Guild who was sixth in the Queen’s Vase at the Royal meeting. Pallasator drops back significantly in trip following his Royal Ascot triumph in the Queen Alexandra Stakes over the marathon distance of two miles five and a half furlongs.
It will be the first time Gordon Elliott’s veteran has run over less than two miles since he finished sixth in the Prix Kergorlay at Deauville in August, but he does handle quick conditions.
The ground is a slight concern for Bloomfield but her only previous attempt at a mile and three-quarters resulted in victory in a Listed contest at Gowran Park.
However, the going was soft that day and trainer Willie McCreery is just hoping officials put a generous amount of water on the track due to the current heatwave.
“The mile and six will suit her. I’d be hoping they will put on as much water as possible just to make it safe. It’s been very warm here,” said the County Kildare handler.
Jim Bolger ’s Twilight Payment runner-up to Order Of St George in the Levmoss Stakes at Leopardstown five weeks ago on his first run since being gelded, completes the field.
