Wayne Lordan is set for two opportunities at Group One glory at Newmarket later in the week but can warm up for those high-profile assignments with success on board General Brook at Naas this evening.
The Cork-born jockey came within touching distance of a first top-flight victory in Ireland less than a fortnight ago when Galileo Rock got touched off by Trading Leader in the Derby but Lordan has already struck at Group One level in Britain courtesy of Sole Power's 100/1 shock in the 2010 Nunthorpe.
He will ride his old pal's stable companion Slade Power in Saturday's July Cup and is also likely to team up with Duntle in Friday's Falmouth Stakes with final declarations for the mile fillies highlight made this morning.
General Brook also lines up over a mile today and on some parts of his pedigree it is noteworthy he runs over that distance at all as he is by the National Hunt sire, and former Ascot Gold Cup winner, Westerner, and is a half brother to a three mile chase winner.
However, he is also related to a Group Three winner in Tannery and scored over seven furlongs at Fairyhouse in a maiden last month.
Nabbed on the line
Nevertheless, the muddling pace of his last contest at Leopardstown could hardly have been to General Brook's advantage and he got nabbed on the line by Zalty. A higher tempo this time should play more to his strengths against Aidan O'Brien's topweight Rain God.
It should still be a profitable evening for Ballydoyle with The Vatican sporting first-time blinkers in the finale. Battle Of Marengo's lead-horse looked to race lazily when breaking his maiden at the Curragh and a step up on that should see him cope with another couple of HQ winners, Dr Funkenstein and Levanto.
O'Brien can also strike in the two juvenile contests. Oklahoma City made no impression on his Leopardstown debut but Ballydoyle two-year-olds can improve hugely for experience and the champion trainer should know where he stands with the more exposed Taanif.
