White Birch waiting for favoured ground in the autumn

White Birch will miss the heat of midsummer in the hope of getting his favoured softer ground in the autumn.

Since beating Auguste Rodin in last year’s Tattersalls Gold Cup the high-class grey has been restricted to just two runs by a combination of niggling injuries and fast ground.

Although he holds an entry in the Juddmonte International at York, his aim is the Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown on September 13, when connections hope there is finally an ease in the ground having missed Royal Ascot and the Eclipse.

Trainer John Murphy’s son and assistant George said: “We have slowed up a little bit with him, as we’ve wanted to run but the ground hasn’t been coming our way.

“We won’t be going to the Juddmonte and will instead look to the autumn with him.

“He could have a prep run before going for the Irish Champion Stakes.

“We are very, very happy with him, but just the weather hasn’t been kind to us.”