Eight-time Group One winner So You Think bids to put his disappointing Dubai World Cup performance behind him when he defends his Tattersalls Gold Cup crown at The Curragh on Sunday.
The dual Cox Plate winner was favourite to make a winning return in the Meydan showpiece in March, but was beaten into fourth in the hands of trainer Aidan O’Brien’s son, Joseph.
The young rider is once again in the saddle this weekend and is hopeful he can get back on the winning trail, although he believes So You Think will improve for the run.
“He seems in good form and we just felt he didn’t act on the surface in Dubai,” O’Brien said.
“We’ve been happy with him at home, but he has had a little break and this is only his first run back.
“I’m sure he’ll improve, but hopefully he can run a big race.”
Famous Name is set to take on So You Think as he goes in search of an elusive first Group One triumph.
However, Teddy Grimthorpe, racing manager for owner Khalid Abdullah, has warned Dermot Weld’s fantastic servant will not run if conditions are deemed unsuitable.
“If it came up quite firm, he probably wouldn’t run, but we’ll see,” Grimthorpe said.
“It would obviously be great to win a Group One with him but he’s won 16 races and 15 Pattern races.
“If we had many more like him we’d be pretty happy.”
O’Brien’s Robin Hood is expected to be employed as a pacemaker for So You Think while the talented filly Bible Belt and Elusive Ridge complete the five-runner field.
