Top-class Tattersalls Gold Cup in prospect at the Curragh

Los Angeles and White Birch are due to lock horns for the second time this season in the Tattersalls Gold Cup at the Curragh on Sunday.

The pair met earlier this month in the Mooresbridge Stakes when Aidan O’Brien’s Irish Derby winner came out on top by a neck.

White Birch, trained by John Murphy, beat former Ballydoyle inmate Auguste Rodin in the corresponding race last season but a setback prevented him from running again.

“It’s the plan to run Los Angeles,” O’Brien told Racing TV.

“Everything has gone well since his last run at the Curragh and it was always the plan to come back for this.

“Everything has been good so far with him.”

In what could turn out to be a cracking renewal, Andrew Balding’s Kalpana, among the favourites for the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, is due to make her seasonal return.

She was last seen at Ascot on Champions Day winning the Fillies & Mares Stakes in style but missed her intended comeback at York last week.

Another Champions Day winner was Owen Burrows’ Anmaat, in the Champion Stakes, and he is also set to make his return this weekend.

Almaqam, Al Riffa, Ghostwriter and Royal Rhyme add further strength in depth to a race with 12 confirmations.