Tattersalls Gold Cup on the agenda again for White Birch

White Birch is firmly on course to defend his Tattersalls Gold Cup crown on Saturday week, having come through his pleasing Curragh comeback with flying colours.

John Joseph Murphy’s stable star enjoyed a fantastic spring campaign last year, winning the Alleged Stakes and the Mooresbridge Stakes at the home of Irish Flat racing before completing his hat-trick with a dominant Tattersalls Gold Cup success over the top-class Auguste Rodin.

Following almost a year off the track, White Birch made his long-awaited return in the Mooresbridge earlier this month and connections could not have been more delighted with his performance in defeat as the grey pushed last year’s Irish Derby winner and Arc third Los Angeles to a neck.

George Murphy, assistant to his father, said: “It was a great run and we couldn’t be happier with him.

“He had a long time off the track and you’d be hoping he’ll improve for the run. He’s been in super form all spring, of course you’re a bit nervous when they’ve been off that long but he showed himself very well and we’re delighted with him.

“He seems to have come out of it well and we’re looking forward to getting him out again.”

Aidan O’Brien nominated the Tattersalls Gold Cup and the Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot as likely targets for Los Angeles in the aftermath of his recent success and there appears to be every chance White Birch will take him on in both races.

“He’s in the Coronation Cup at Epsom, but I’d imagine we’ll go for the Tattersalls Gold Cup and go to Ascot after that – that would be the way it’s looking at the moment,” Murphy added.

“He (Los Angeles) is a very good horse and I’m sure he’ll be tough to beat again, but we’ll look forward to it.”