O'Brien may look for early show from Rhododendron on opening day at Naas

Dual Group 1 winner Rhododendron could return on the first day of the Flat season in the Group 3 Lodge Park Stud EBF Park Express Stakes at Naas on Sunday, according to trainer Aidan O'Brien.

Second in the Guineas last year behind stablemate Winter before filling the same spot behind the unstoppable Enable in the Oaks, Rhododendron’s season then hit the rocks after she burst blood vessels in the Prix de Diane at Chantilly.

After almost three months on the sidelines she made a pleasing return in the Matron Stakes at Leopardstown on Irish Champions Weekend, before returning to the scene of her Prix de Diane disaster when showing her toughness in beating stablemate Hydrangea in the Prix de l'Opera.

Rhododendron ended the campaign with another fine effort, finishing runner-up in the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf at Del Mar.

Having finished second in three Group 1s last year, Rhododendron may prompt a feeling of unfinished business within some quarters at Ballydoyle, and ahead of her possible Naas return O’Brien said: “She seems fine and if she runs she'll be just ready to start back.”

He added: “She has options but we'll see how she gets on, if she runs on Sunday, before making any decisions about plans.”

The race has attracted nine entries, including a potential British raider in the Martyn Meade-trained Wilamina.

Dermot Weld could be represented by Making Light, while Ger Lyons has entered course-and-distance winner Elegant Pose.

Sunday’s card at Naas also features the €100,000 Tote Irish Lincolnshire, for which 31 entries were made.

On The Go Again will be chasing his fourth straight victory on the Flat, and trainer Michael Mulvany said on Tuesday: “He worked this morning on the Curragh and we're very happy with him, so the plan is to go to Naas. He’s been running over hurdles and won’t have any problems with the ground, so we're looking forward to it.”

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