Earl Of Tyrone set for quick reappearance in revamped €600,000 Irish Cesarewitch

A tilt at the Melbourne Cup looks to be on hold for Ebor third Earl Of Tyrone as trainer Paddy Twomey sets his sights on Sunday's revamped Friends Of The Curragh Irish Cesarewitch, worth €600,000 this year.

Dropping to 1m4f in Group 3 company on Irish Champions Weekend didn't see him to best effect when last seen, but Twomey is now eyeing a first try at two miles for his Listed and premier handicap winner.

Twomey may end up doubly represented in the race as French Claim, who was beaten five lengths when seventh in the St Leger, is also in contention to step up in trip if there is sufficient rain.

After being worth €100,000 before the pandemic in 2019 and €80,000 last year, the revitalised Irish Cesarewitch – a concept conceived by former Horse Racing Ireland chairman Joe Keeling – has attracted a high-quality field in a switch from its usual October slot.

Favourite Waterville, trained by Aidan O'Brien, was cut from 7-1 to 7-2 with SkyBet on Monday, with Earl Of Tyrone next in the market at 8-1 and the Willie Mullins-trained Echoes In Rain 9-1.

Twomey said: "I wouldn't imagine Earl Of Tyrone will go to the Melbourne Cup. I'd say he'll run in the Irish Cesarewitch on Sunday. French Claim is also an intended runner at the Curragh but he'd appreciate some rain. With the way the weather is, we'll have to see whether rain arrives."

Earl Of Tyrone (yellow, left): beaten a length in the Sky Bet EborCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Pearls Galore provided the Tipperary-based trainer with his second Group 1 winner in the Matron Stakes this month, and the mare could have her last race before retiring to the breeding sheds.

"There are two places left to run her: the Breeders' Cup or Prix de la Foret," Twomey said.

"I'd imagine it will be either or, rather than both. She's come out of the Matron very well, she's in great form."

La Petite Coco was Twomey's shortest-priced runner on Irish Flat racing's Champion Weekend but failed to fire when finishing fourth to Above The Curve as 9-4 favourite in the Blandford Stakes.

Reflecting on the performance, Twomey said: "La Petite Coco is in good form since her run at the Curragh. The plan is for her to go to the Fillies and Mares Stakes on British Champions Day, which is something we've been thinking about for a while.

"She could be joined there by Rosscarbery after her run [when fourth] in the Irish St Leger. I was a bit disappointed with La Petite Coco. She seemed a little flat before the race when I saddled her, and she subsequently ran a bit flat.

La Petite Coco (green and red silks): finished fourth in the Moyglare Blandford StakesCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

"I'd say it just came a bit too quick after a hard race in the Yorkshire Oaks."

Ado McGuinness says his stable star A Case Of You remains on course to defend his Prix de l'Abbaye crown after failing to land a blow in the Flying Five Stakes at the Curragh on Irish Champions Weekend.

A low draw in stall two proved problematic for the dual Group 1-winning sprinter as he raced away from the action on the far side and was beaten eight lengths by Highfield Princess in 12th of 18 runners.

McGuinness said: "He came out of his run fine and it's now all systems go for Paris. We were on the wrong side in the Flying Five and that was it. The draw dictated that. He's healthy and well since, so fingers crossed for Longchamp."

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