Rain boost for Golan

Golan is expected to take his chance in the Budweiser Irish Derby at the Curragh on Sunday after further rain turned conditions in his favour today.

Connections of the Sagitta 2000 Guineas hero, who chased home Galileo in the Vodafone Derby at Epsom three weeks ago, had expressed fears of fast ground in Ireland for their charge.

But the going was changed today to yielding for the final six furlongs and good for the remainder of the course after showers arrived and another wet spell is expected tomorrow morning after which it is set to stay dry.

Peter Reynolds, the racing manager of Golan`s owner, Lord Weinstock, walked the course this morning.

Galileo`s trainer Aidan O`Brien has booked riders for his two other Derby runners with Seamus Heffernan on Pebble Island and Paul Scallan on Ice Dancer.

Coventry Stakes sixth Rock Of Gibraltar and Hawk Wing will represent O`Brien in the Railway Stakes on Sunday while he runs Ribblesdale Stakes fourth Snowflake and Karsavina in thePretty Polly Stakes on Saturday.

Barry Hills has narrowed his team for the big race by one, having opted to run Perfect Sunday in France the same afternoon, with Pat Eddery taking the mount.

Mr Combustible, fourth to Galileo at Epsom, will be his sole representative in Ireland.

Perfect Sunday could be joined in the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud by compatriots, Little Rock and Water Jump, who today stood their ground at the latest entry stage for the Group One contest.

Egyptband and Hightori are the pick of the home team.

The Michael Jarvis-trained Holding Court misses the race and will be kept for softer ground later this season.