Noble Storm on easy list

Noble Storm is having a short spell on the easy list after contracting a virus.

Trainer Ed McMahon has decided to give last month’s Listed winner more time and will bypass the Dubai Duty Free Sapphire Stakes at the Curragh on June 26.

“I had pencilled him in for a race over at the Curragh, but he had one or two little coughs after he won at Haydock, so I’ve given him a week off,” said McMahon.

“He had a virus on his lungs last year and he’ll get right again, so I’ll just bypass that race.

“I’m going to make a double entry in the Nunthorpe, with him and Astrophysical Jet, which I don’t like to do. There are also one or two Group Threes and I’m desperate to win one of those with him.”

McMahon is to wait until later on in the campaign to give Temple Meads his first run of 2011.

The Avonbridge colt was a smart juvenile, winning the Mill Reef Stakes, though he did disappoint in the Middle Park Stakes on his final start.

“He’s ticking along OK. John (Fretwell, owner) is not fussed about running him until later on in the season,” McMahon went on.

“We haven’t pencilled a race in for him yet, but for three-year-olds at this level with his Group Two penalty, we feel he’s up against it and we don’t want to blot his copy book. He’s a nice horse.

“I think if we have a couple of runs later on or at the backend and go to town with him as a four-year-old.”