Joseph ready for War Joseph O'Brien is looking forward to partnering Declaration Of War on his seasonal reappearance in an interesting Heritage Stakes at Leopardstown on Sunday. A two-time winner as a juvenile when trained in France by Jean-Claude Rouget, the four-year-old was raced sparingly during his first season in Ireland. Aidan O'Brien's American-bred colt was ultimately well beaten by the admirable Famous Name on his Irish debut at the Curragh in September, but went on to win his next two starts, including the Group Three Diamond Stakes on the all-weather at Dundalk. He faces five rivals over a mile on his return in this Listed event, with O'Brien also saddling perennial pacemaker Windsor Palace. "I'm looking forward to riding him," said the champion jockey. "He's a massive, big horse, who takes plenty of work, so hopefully he's ready enough to do himself justice. "He won at Dundalk towards the end of last season and although he only won half a length, he did it very easy. "Hopefully the ground isn't too bad as he's really a good ground horse." Declaration Of War's biggest threat would appear to be Tommy Carmody's Sweet Lightning, so impressive in the Irish Lincolnshire at the Curragh three weeks ago. His jockey Johnny Murtagh said: "He was very good at the Curragh and he's stepping back up to Listed class now. We've been very happy with him since his last run and hopefully he'll run another good race. "There is big talk about Aidan's horse and he looks smart, so he's probably the one we all have to beat."
