Camelot and Parish Hall are set for a mouthwatering early-season clash in the High Chaparral EBF Mooresbridge Stakes at the Curragh on Monday.
The son of Montjeu was found to be suffering from colic just days after his disappointing showing in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp, but is set to return as a four-year-old in this Group Three test.Trained by Aidan O'Brien, Camelot enjoyed a superb Classic campaign, winning the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket, both the English and Irish Derbies and only narrowly missed out on Triple Crown glory when runner-up in the St Leger.
O'Brien said: "This has been the plan for him all winter. The intention is to run him on Monday provided the ground is not too testing. He is in good order and is ready for a run."
O'Brien also has El Salvador, Ernest Hemingway and Triumphant in the 10-furlong event.
Seemingly the biggest threat to Camelot is the Jim Bolger-trained Parish Hall.
Winner of the 2011 Dewhurst Stakes, the Teofilo colt was sidelined for well over a year by injury, but made a winning return in the Listed Alleged Stakes over this course and distance last month.
Bolger, who could be double-handed with Light Heavy also in the mix, said: "The plan remains the same and Monday's race is his target. Parish Hall needed that race (Alleged Stakes) and he has come out of it in good shape.
"Provided he gets a bit of decent ground he will take his chance."
The field is completed by Ken Condon's Macbeth and Negotiate from Joanna Morgan's stable.
On an intriguing eight-race card, the Listed Power EBF Tetrarch Stakes has attracted 16 entries, including O'Brien's Forester and Eddie Lynam's classy filly Viztoria.
Viztoria also features among 21 fillies engaged in the Canford Cliffs EBF Athasi Stakes, with the Ger Lyons-trained Lily's Angel another major contender for the Group Three prize.
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