'We'll have to explore that option' - Melbourne Cup tilt possible for Ebor third

Paddy Twomey is weighing up a tilt at the Melbourne Cup for fast-improving Earl Of Tyrone, who made himself eligible for a trip to Flemington by finishing third in the Ebor at York last Saturday.

Earl Of Tyrone found Trawlerman and Alfred Boucher too strong when bidding for a fourth successive win, but Twomey was delighted by the in-form four-year-old's performance off a mark of 103 when beaten a length.

It capped a massive rise through the rankings for Earl Of Tyrone since joining Twomey, the gelding having been rated 77 as an eight-race maiden at the beginning of the season. A crack at Longines Irish Champions Weekend could be next on the agenda.

Twomey said: "It was another career-best from him. He likes a strong gallop, being a strong traveller, and probably would have appreciated more pace in the race.

Earl Of Tyrone (yellow, left): beaten a length in the Sky Bet EborCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

"He's now got himself a berth in the Melbourne Cup and that will have to be explored. It could suit him and we've put him in the race, but we haven't really thought about it yet. I think he'll run at Leopardstown in the Group 3 Paddy Power Stakes over a mile and a half."

Like Earl Of Tyrone, Twomey's other overseas runners last week each posted career-best efforts, according to Racing Post Ratings.

Rosscarbery, who was 0-9 and rated 81 when making her debut for Twomey this year, continued her progress to be beaten a neck when second in Sunday's Group 1 Prix Jean Romanet.

"The trip of ten furlongs was probably a bit short of her optimum but it was a super run," said Twomey.

"I'd imagine she could run on Irish Champions Weekend and the Blandford Stakes would look a live option for her, although she also has the option of running over a mile and a half at Leopardstown a day earlier. The Prix de l'Opera at Longchamp and Qipco British Champions Fillies and Mares Stakes at Ascot are also possible for her."

Rosscarbery (yellow and black silks): just denied by Aristia in the Darley Prix Jean Romanet at DeauvilleCredit: © Aprh / Quentin Bertrand

Group 1 Pretty Polly Stakes winner La Petite Coco seems unlikely to reoppose Alpinista in the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe after finishing third in last week's Yorkshire Oaks.

Rather than bidding for a repeat victory in the Moyglare Blandford Stakes at the Curragh next month, the Team Valor four-year-old is more likely to make an appearance at British Champions Day at Ascot on October 15.

Twomey said: "I think we'll go to Ascot next for the Fillies and Mares Stakes. I can't see her running in the Arc this year. If she's going to run in the race, I'd imagine it would be next year as a five-year-old."

French Claim, priced between 20-1 and 33-1, could bid to provide Twomey with a Classic breakthrough in next month's Cazoo St Leger, having been freshened up since finishing third to Westover in the Irish Derby.

French Claim (yellow cap): hasn't been seen since the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby, won by WestoverCredit: Caroline Norris (racingpost.com/photos)

Twomey said: "He's in great form. We've been waiting for an ease in the ground and there's every chance he could line up at Doncaster if there's a bit of rain. He's also in the Irish Cesarewitch [on September 25] and Prix Chaudenay [on October 1] at Longchamp."

Treasure Trove provided the trainer with a first British success in the Listed Rose Stakes and Twomey added: "She's come out of her race very well. She's in the Group 3 Round Tower Stakes at the Curragh on Saturday and will also have the option of the Group 3 Prix d'Arenberg at Longchamp on September 1."

Some 36 per cent of Twomey's 47 winners since the beginning of last year have come in Listed or Group company, and connections will hope he can again work his magic with exciting new recruit Easy, who was an impressive debut winner for Andrew Slattery at Cork last month.

Team Valor and Gary Barber's private purchase could make her stable debut in the Ballylinch Stud Irish EBF Ingabelle Stakes on Irish Champions Weekend.

Twomey said: "She's been here a while and we're very happy with her. We also have Shelton and Impact Warrior, fillies who won at the Curragh and Roscommon, as possibles for the same race at Leopardstown."

Lexus Melbourne Cup (Flemington, November 1)

Coral: 10 Deauville Legend, 16 Cleveland, Duais, Hoo Ya Mal, 20 Loft, Point King, Point Lonsdale, Spanish Mission, Trawlerman, 25 Alfred Boucher, Camorra, Changingoftheguard, Earl Of Tyrone, Montefilia, Point Nopean, Profondo, Without A Fight, 33 bar

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