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O'Brien Mob-Handed In Voltigeur

Aidan O'Brien will saddle four horses as he attempts to land the Ladbrokes Great Voltigeur for the third time in seven renewals on Tuesday.

The Ballydoyle maestro, successful with Milan in 2001 and Powerscourt in 2003, will be represented by Gordon Stakes winner Yellowstone as well as Acapulco, Macarthur and Royal Ascot hero Mahler.

York's 12-furlong Group Two event has attracted a total of nine declarations, among which Mark Johnston's Boscobel takes the eye.

Not seen since finishing fourth in the Irish Derby, the Sheikh Mohammed-owned colt will bid for his second Pattern win of the season after landing the King Edward VII Stakes in June.

He will be accompanied by stable companion Hearthstead Maison, while John Gosden's Lucarno will attempt to reverse Royal Ascot running with the first-named Johnston representative.

Michael Bell's Spice Route and the Geoff Wragg-trained Heron Bay complete the line-up.

Gift Presented With Haydock Poser

Hackwood Stakes winner Balthazaar's Gift is on course for a tilt at the Betfred Sprint Cup at Haydock on September 8.

Luca Cumani's charge followed up his confidence-boosting Ascot triumph with a bold effort under a steadying burden in the Stewards' Cup last time.

Newmarket-based Cumani said: 'He has only been cantering since Goodwood but he appears to be in excellent form.

'I thought he ran a very creditable race under a huge weight last time.

'I think with a bit more fortune he would have challenged the winner. Had he won, the 9st 13lb would have been the record weight carried to victory.'

Cumani is looking forward to running the four-year-old in the six-furlong Group One sprint, and insists his charge does not need ease in the ground.

'It is not true that Balthazaar's Gift is a horse who only produces his best with underfoot ease,' he told his newly-launched website www.lucacumani.com.

'He ran a very good race to finish second in last year's Golden Jubilee Stakes at Ascot where the ground was fast.

'This year in the July Cup it wasn't the quick conditions that undermined his effort, more the way the race was run and a bad draw.

'He saw far too much daylight. He likes to get in the pack and come through horses.'

Cumani also revealed recent Sovereign Stakes winner Pride Of Nation could travel across the Irish Sea for another Group Three race next month, if the ground is considered suitable.

'He has a strong preference for soft ground and, given the right conditions, I feel he can go on progressing,' Cumani added.

'Fortunately, with this wet summer he is getting his ground and if the conditions are favourable his next target could be the Group 3 Solonaway Stakes at the Curragh on September 16.'

(C) PA Sport

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