Festoso on the comeback trail

Harry Dunlop expects Festoso to put last season’s problems behind her when she lines up for the oddschecker.com Snowdrop Fillies’ Stakes at Kempton on Saturday.

The daughter of Diesis looked to have a bright future when she finished third behind subsequent 1000 Guineas winner Natagora in the Group One Cheveley Park Stakes at Newmarket on her final start as a two-year-old.

However she was off the track for 11 months after that performance, and only returned to action last September.

After shaping with promise when third to Royal Confidence in a Listed race at Doncaster, she was only ninth of 10 in the Group One Sun Chariot Stakes at Newmarket in October.

“She’s done very well and we’re very pleased with her, so it’s fingers crossed,” said the Hungerford trainer.

“There are only eight runners, so it’s not a big field, and we are hoping for the best.

“Unfortunately she had problems behind. We tried to get her ready for the Guineas, but sadly it didn’t happen.

“She put up a great run at Doncaster but the ground in the Sun Chariot was too fast and she didn’t enjoy it.

“We put her away after that and it will be interesting to see how she does on the all-weather.

“It’s a good starting point for her.”