Racing: George on course for Ramonti rematch

George Washington has now won just one of his last six races but this most theatrical of champions still commands the stage like few other modern thoroughbreds. And while he resumes his career this weekend, as anticipated, yesterday he was issued with yet another new script.

It had been assumed that George Washington would go to Leopardstown on Saturday for a first appearance on home soil since last year's Irish 2,000 Guineas. Sure enough, yesterday Aidan O'Brien left him among his five acceptors – out of a total of 10 – for the Tattersalls Millions Irish Champion Stakes. But the Ballydoyle trainer later disclosed that George Washington is more likely to run in Paris the following day.

Having tried his luck over a stiff 10 furlongs on his latest start, at Sandown in July, George Washington reverts to a mile in the Prix du Moulin at Longchamp. That sharp track should play to his strengths, and provides him with an opportunity to avenge his comeback defeat by Ramonti at Royal Ascot.

George Washington will be replaced at Leopardstown by Dylan Thomas, who beat Ouija Board in this race last year. There remains a suspicion that Dylan Thomas is even better over a mile and a half, over which distance he has made just three starts. But he perseveres here over a mile and a quarter, having beaten all bar Authorized at York a fortnight ago.

As it happens, Authorized was also left in the Leopardstown race, but this was quickly identified as a clerical oversight. The two colts could certainly meet again in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe next month, of course, though their ground preferences are very different.

Dylan Thomas has not been given long to recover from York, but O'Brien seems increasingly able to get horses to thrive with racing. This colt has not soaked up quite as many races as Peeping Fawn or Yellowstone, but it will be his sixth Group One start since the spring.

He will again be accompanied by Duke Of Marmalade, who finished fourth at York and is expected to show the benefit of that run, his first since Royal Ascot. They are likely be escorted by either Archipenko or Red Rock Canyon, O'Brien having always felt that Dylan Thomas needs a strong pace at this distance.

Last year only five lined up and another small field seems inevitable, with only Red Rocks and Maraahel still involved for Britain. Mullins Bay, nowadays housed in Mike de Kock's satellite stable in Newmarket, may be another to have been left in the race inadvertently, having been declared for a race at York tomorrow.

The only filly eligible for the role filled by Ouija Board last year is Finsceal Beo. After her hectic spring, she has not raced since disappointing at Royal Ascot, but her stable could hardly be in better form. Jim Bolger has long intended to run her here, granted suitable ground, even though she has never run beyond a mile. Finsceal Beo does have a Group One alternative over that trip on the same card in the Coolmore Matron Stakes, though a strong overseas challenge here includes Indian Ink, Echelon, Darjina and last year's winner, Red Evie.

Bolger's exciting two-year-old colt, New Approach, yesterday became yet another big investment in Sheikh Mohammed's unprecedented search for new blood to liven up his breeding operation. His Darley Stud has purchased a half-share in the colt, who remains in training with Bolger. The trainer had already agreed a deal for Teofilo, his champion juvenile last year, to stand at one of the Sheikh's studs in Ireland.

Chris McGrath

Nap: Franchoek (Goodwood 3.10)

NB: Mr Tee Pee (Sedgefield 3.30)