Dubai: Leading stayer Twilight Payment and unexposed two-year-old Active Approach step up to Group 1 level on day two of Irish Champions Weekend at the Curragh this Sunday.
Both horses are trained by Jim Bolger and ridden by Kevin Manning, with Twilight Payment lining up in the Irish St Leger after coming home third in the Group 3 Trial for the 14-furlong contest.
The four-year-old Teofilo colt, a Listed winner over two miles at the Curragh last year, has made the frame on all five of his appearances so far this year, including when finishing second behind Order Of St George in the 14-furlong Listed Saval Beg Stakes at Leapordstown in May.
He takes on nine others in the Irish St Leger, headed by the two most recent winners – Order Of St George and Wicklow Brave, plus G2 Yorkshire Cup scorer Dartmouth.
New Approach filly Active Approach steps up markedly in class in the seven-furlong G1 Moyglare Stud Stakes after finishing third in maidens on both her starts, most recently when keeping on behind subsequent G2 scorer Magical over a mile at Cork on August 8.
Her nine rivals include Magical, Newmarket G2 winner Clemmie and Royal Ascot runner-up Alpha Centurai.
Jimmy Hyland of Godolphin said in a press release: “Twilight Payment has a bit to find with Order Of St George, but it was a good run to finish second to him in the Saval Beg Stakes earlier this season.
“He won a Listed race on heavy ground at the Curragh this time last year so softer conditions shouldn’t be an inconvenience. He has been training well and we are hoping that he can run a good race.
“Active Approach was third behind Magical and Mary Tudor on her latest start and both fillies went on to frank the form when finishing first and third in the G2 Debutante Stakes.
“The ground was good to yielding on Active Approach’s last run and similar conditions at the Curragh, together with the straight track, will suit her.
“We are hoping she can make the frame and gain some valuable black type.”
