Marnane planning Ascot raid

Stablemates Jamesie and Seanie could both be readied for a trip to Ascot next month after running with credit at Leopardstown on Saturday.

Jamesie ran his usual solid race to finish fifth in the hugely valuable Leopardstown September Handicap, while the less exposed but less straightforward Seanie absolutely flew home to fill the runner-up spot in the same race.

Trainer David Marnane believes both are capable of winning a big prize and both are likely to be given an entry in Ascot’s Betfred Challenge Cup on October 6.

“It was a bit frustrating as both could have won and neither did,” said Marnane.

“Jamesie was unlucky and finished on the bridle. He’s a great little horse and a tough and genuine handicapper.

“He’s come out of the race very fresh as he hardly had a race. From where he was drawn in stall 14, you need all the luck in the world in Leopardstown and unfortunately he didn’t get any.

“I think there is still a bit of improvement in him and hopefully he’ll have his day somewhere along the line.

“He’s in the Ayr Gold Cup, but I would say he’s more likely to go for a valuable seven-furlong race in Ascot.

“He ran well there at the Royal meeting and it’s a track that suits, so we’ll probably go that way. It’s a big pot.

“Seanie is a horse with a lot of ability, but he’s not the easiest ride.

“It’s taken him a long time for him to learn how to race and he still needs to improve mentally.

“He cocked his jaw coming out of the back the other day and then flew home in the straight. If he can improve mentally, he could develop into a very nice horse.

“He’ll get an entry in the same Ascot race as Jamesie and he could go to Dubai during the winter as I think that would do him the world of good.”