Champion Jockey Colin Keane has nabbed the ride on leading British hope Westover for this weekend's Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby, writes James Toney.
Ralph Beckett's star colt finished third in the Epsom Derby and is seeking to complete the same upgrade at the Curragh as last year's winner Hurricane Lane.
Rob Hornby was hopeful of the Classic ride but owners Juddmonte believed Keane's superior course experience was preferential, according to newspaper reports.
“The horse is well," said Beckett. "This has been the obvious race since Epsom and we always had half an eye on it.
Lionel may want softer ground at the Curragh
David Menuisier is also hopeful for the hopes of his British raider Lionel, who won impressively at Goodwood earlier this season.
Ideally he wants softer ground than the current good to firm at the course, so the forecast of potential showers on Friday and Saturday could
see his current 10-1 price trimmed.
"I'm biased but I think we are a major player," said Menuisier, seeking his first Classic win.
"He's a lovely horse and this was always his main plan. Everything has gone how we wanted it to, we'd just like the ground a bit softer."
Ryan replaces Dettori on Piz Badile
Meanwhile, Donnacha O'Brien believes his hope, Piz Badile, will improve for a distant finish at Epsom on at a course he believes suits him better.
Frankie Dettori has been replaced by Gavin Ryan, who has ridden Piz Badile in all his Irish starts, including a narrow win at Leopardstown in April that earned him a crack at the Epsom showpiece.
"He's come out of Epsom well and I think the Curragh will suit him better," he said.