US Army Ranger and Churchill head the Curragh entries
US Army Ranger makes his reappearance in the Royal Whip Stakes having been off since the Derby while Churchill headlines the Futurity Stakes
AIDAN O'BRIEN has warned US Army Ranger will improve for the run on his eagerly-awaited return to action in the Kilfrush Stud Royal Whip Stakes at the Curragh on Sunday.
The Chester Vase winner was favourite to provide the Ballydoyle maestro with his sixth victory in the Derby at the start of June and while he ultimately came up just short, he ran an excellent race in defeat behind the Dermot Weld-trained Harzand.
While the latter has since completed the English-Irish Derby double, US Army Ranger has enjoyed a midsummer break.
"US Army Ranger is back after having a good, long break and is just ready to start back," said O'Brien.
"We've been happy with him since Epsom, but he is just ready to start off and he'll improve a lot for the run at the weekend.
"He was supposed to run in the Juddmonte International (at York on Wednesday) and Found go for the Royal Whip, but he just wasn't going to be ready in time so we changed plans.
"Found just had a couple of bits of work to do, but she still ran well at York (second in Yorkshire Oaks)
"We're probably looking at the Irish Champion Stakes with US Army Ranger, if all goes well."
Jockey Pat Smullen expects the Weld-trained Fascinating Rock to strip fitter for his return to action.
Last season's Champion Stakes hero at Ascot was beaten by Found and Success Days on his first start of the season in the Mooresbridge Stakes, but comprehensively turned the tables on that pair to claim his second Group One victory in the Tattersalls Gold Cup in May.
The five-year-old has not been seen in competitive action since then, however, and Smullen feels he may need the run as he bids to give weight and a beating to US Army Ranger.
He said: "You always look forward to riding a horse like him.
"It's his first run back after a break and he is a horse that tends to take a run.
"You'd like to think whatever he does on Sunday, it should leave him cherry-ripe for the rest of the season.
"We're getting him ready for an autumn campaign and the English Champion Stakes would look the obvious target for him again, but we'll see.
"It looks a tough race on Sunday and he's got to carry the penalty, but we know he's a very good horse."
Weld also runs possible pacemaker The Steward and the hat-trick-seeking Maneen, who steps up in grade following a course-and-distance victory in handicap company.
Ken Condon is hoping to see rain for Success Days, who has been off the track since his third-placed finish in the Tattersalls Gold Cup.
"We've been really pleased with him the last 10 days," said the Kildare-based trainer.
"Our handicapper has rated his last two runs as career-bests, which is pleasing given the injury he had, so it looks like he's improved from his Derrinstown win last year.
"I can't help but wonder, either, if he's a bit better left-handed, he certainly has shown signs of that.
"So, there's possible room for improvement thinking ahead to Champions Weekend.
"His return to form has been a relief and he's on good terms with himself."
Ger Lyons saddles Endless Drama, who made the most of having his sights lowered when landing a conditions race at Naas last month.
Moonlight Magic from Jim Bolger's yard completes the field.
Royal Ascot hero and leading Classic hope Churchill is the star attraction in the Galileo EBF Futurity Stakes on Sunday.
Despite suffering defeat on his debut in the spring, the Galileo colt was considered one of the bankers of the week at the Royal meeting and duly obliged in the Chesham Stakes.
He continued his progress with victory in the Tyros Stakes at Leopardstown last month and is second only to esteemed stable companion Caravaggio in ante-post lists for next season's 2000 Guineas.
Trainer Aidan O'Brien has landed the Futurity nine times, with the likes of Giant's Causeway (1999) and Hawk Wing (2001) among those on the roll of honour.
O'Brien said: "We've got a good bunch of two-year-olds this season.
"Churchill will run in the Futurity and he's been fine since the last day."
Coolmore's UK representative Kevin Buckley added: "He won the Tyros well and came out of that in very good order.
"We're looking forward to his reappearance."
Churchill is one of three O'Brien runners in the seven-furlong Group Two.
Capri is an interesting contender after winning a Galway maiden and a Tipperary Listed event on his last two starts, while Lancaster Bomber built on debut promise to narrowly claim victory at Leopardstown earlier in the month.
O'Brien's son, Joseph, saddles Arcada, who opened his account at the third attempt when beating Capri over this course and distance.
The Jim Bolger-trained Radio Silence, who made a big impression on his Leopardstown introduction before finishing fourth in the Anglesey Stakes, completes the five-strong field.
