Holy Roman Emperor news.....

[my miss storm cat]

From Racing Post.....


Holy Roman Emperor added to Phoenix field
by Tony O'Hehir

HOLY ROMAN EMPEROR, who bounced back from his disappointing performance in the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot to land the Group 2 Railway Stakes at the Curragh on Irish Derby day, will attempt to continue Aidan O'Brien's outstanding record in the Waterford Wedgwood Phoenix Stakes at thesame venue on Sunday.

The Ballydoyle colt, who was supplemented to the Group 1 six furlong event on Tuesday at a cost of €30,000, is 5-4 favourite with Paddy Power and Cashmans to become O'Brien's eight winner of the race which he won with George Washington a year ago.

Holy Roman Emperor will clash with the unbeaten pair Hellvelyn, who won the Coventry Stakes, and Brazilian Bride and may also renew rivalry with Drayton, whom he beat by three-quarters of a length in the Railway Stakes.

Alternative targets, including the Gimcrack Stakes at York, are under consideration for the Tommy Stack-trained Drayton but indications on Tuesday night were that he will take his chance in Sunday's race.

Speaking on Tuesday O'Brien said: "The entries for the Phoenix Stakes close early and at the time we hadn't named Holy Roman Emperor, so that's why we've had to supplement him. He's in good form and we've been happy with him since his win in the Railway." According to O'Brien, Theann, his other acceptor for Sunday's big race, is more likely to run in the maiden on the same card.

Meanwhile, Kevin Prendergast, who trains four of the 15 acceptors, nominated Brazilain Bride and Miss Beatrix as his likely runners. He said: "Brazilain Bride is in great form and Declan(McDonogh) will ride her. Miss Beatrix is also an intended runner, but a decision about Regional Counsel will be made in the next 24 hours."

Winner of the Group 3 Anglesey Stakes last month, Regional Counsel may be kept for the National Stakes at the Curragh next month. Twenty Questions, Prendergast's other acceptor, will miss Sunday's race.

The acceptors also include Dermot Weld's recent Galway winner, Fleeting Shadow, and the David Wachman-trained pair, Rabatash, a winner at Tipperary on his most recent start, and Mythical Echo who landed a maiden at Naas on Monday.

The ground at the Curragh was reported to be "good to firm" by course manager Paul Hensey on Tuesday. "We have watered and will be keeping the situation under review," Hensey said.