Low draw a big problem as Baby bids for hat-trick
A full field of 18 is set to go to post with last year’s victor, the Michael Halford-trained Quinmaster, bidding for a repeat off top weight of 10st.
Stablemate Deauville Vision drops into handicap company for the first time since winning the Irish Lincolnshire by eight lengths while Kevin Prendergast’s Celtic Dane is also on the trail of a third successive win.
However, Baby Blue Eyes’ trainer Patrick Flynn is anticipating a bold show from his charge, despite a seemingly tricky draw in stall five to overcome.
He said: “Baby Blue Eyes seems to have come back from her last race in great shape but we haven’t a great draw.
“But we’re hopeful and she will go on the ground so we’re hoping.
“We know she is a very good filly and she is improving away nicely now. She’s up to 94 now and it’s always hard to put three wins together but we’ll try.
“By winning the last one she got into the race and we had that in mind beforehand. We wanted to move her up the handicap to get in, but we’ll need some luck from our draw.”
William Fitzpatrick hopes the soft going will not prevent Crossing from making a bold bid to land her third win of the season.
The six-year-old Cape Cross mare has not been seen since landing a 17-runner Leopardstown handicap in mid-June, but has been pleasing her handler in the build-up to this assignment.
Fitzpatrick said: “She’s been fine since Leopardstown and she’s in very good condition – she’s in great shape.
“The only thing I’m worried about is the ground as she really wouldn’t like it too soft or sticky but I’m hoping it will dry out a bit.
“She’ll run a very big race if the ground conditions improve and this has been her target for a while. She is really fit for the race and we’re looking forward to it.”
Meanwhile course manager John Moloney has declared himself happy with conditions and feels the turf could begin to dry out as the week progresses.
“The official going is soft to heavy but the course is in excellent condition. I think it will ride very well but it will be suited to soft-ground horses,” he told At The Races.
“The weather forecast is quite good and it has improved over the weekend.
“There may be showers on Wednesday and Thursday but they are isolated and we can expect a pretty good week.”
