Gay Kelleway is excited at stepping Zebstar into top company in the Group One Keeneland Phoenix Stakes at the Curragh on 9 August.
It will have been three months since the two-year-old made a winning debut at Newmarket, after which a sore shin contributed to the Zebedee colt's second appearance being delayed.
Keen to mind her exciting prospect, Kelleway scrapped plans to run him on fast ground in the Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot and the July Stakes at Newmarket.
"He's in the Group One over in Ireland, that's the plan," said the Newmarket trainer.
"I backed off him for three weeks because he had a very bad sore shin the day he won at Newmarket and he's a very good horse.
"He was going to go for the Norfolk (at Royal Ascot) but there was no sign of rain, so we scratched him. I didn't want to run him again on fast ground as he'd resent it.
"We were thinking of going for the July Stakes but it was the same scenario - too firm - so we sat down together, the owners and myself.
"We thought we'd like to have a crack in Ireland. It's a Group One and we might get better ground.
"He has two other entries at Deauville - a Group Three on 2 August (Prix de Cabourg) and the Morny (23 August).
"I know it's a big step, but he is a very good horse and a lot of winners have come out of the race he won.
"We're looking forward to seeing him out again."
