DAN EXCEL (IRE) (pictured) and Military Attack (IRE) led home a 1-2 for Irish-breds in the Singapore Airlines International Cup at Kranji on Sunday. The same horses were first and third respectively in last year’s running of the Group 1 worth $3million. Tommy Berry made all on the eventual winner and was two lengths in front at the furlong pole, with Military Attack (IRE) in hot pursuit, narrowing the winning margin to half a length, with a further 2 ¾ length back to the third horse. The winner raced as Dunboyne Express (IRE) in Ireland for Kevin Prendergast and owner/breeder John Connaughton. Dan Excel (IRE) is a half-brother to two winners out of Love Excelling, who was trained by Sir Henry Cecil. His grand-dam is also that of St Leger winning sire Sixties Icon and the Group 2-placed sire Native Ruler. He is the second-highest earning son of Kildangan Stud resident Shamardal, behind fellow Hong Kong trainee Able Friend.

FORGOTTEN CONTINUES RULE AT NAVAN
The unbeaten Forgotten Rules (IRE) looked as good as ever when making a winning reappearance in the Group 3 Vintage Crop Stakes at Navan on Sunday. Ridden for trainer Dermot Weld by Pat Smullen, the five-year-old battled well to win from the much-improved Answered and consolidated his position at the head of the ante-post market for next month’s Ascot Gold Cup. Weld said afterwards, “I was very pleased with the performance and I thought it was an excellent renewal of the race. I’m not taking anything away from the second – he’s a very good horse but had the benefit of a run and was getting 5lb, so I thought it was an excellent performance by Forgotten Rules (IRE) on his first run back. The obvious logical next step is the Ascot Gold Cup and the only caveat I would have is that he would never want the ground too firm.” Owned and bred by Moyglare Stud Farm, Forgotten Rules (IRE) won the Group 2 Long Distance Cup on British Champions Day last October. He is a half-brother to the Listed winner Vintage Nouveau (IRE) and is from the family of the US Champion filly Talking Picture. His three-year-old Galileo (IRE) half-brother, Time To Inspire (IRE), wa