Red Letter steps up for Group Three Curragh test

After getting back to winning ways at Killarney, Red Letter creeps up in distance for the Snow Fairy Fillies Stakes at the Curragh on Saturday.

Ger Lyons’ filly was a high-class juvenile who began her three-year-old campaign as a Classic hope and although unable to land a blow in the 1000 Guineas earlier in the season, her latest efforts have seen her get back on track.

Although narrowly beaten by Jessica Harrington’s reopposing hat-trick seeker Barnavara at Navan in June, Red Letter made a welcome return to the winner’s enclosure in Listed company last month, with connections now keen to test the daughter of Frankel over further in this nine-furlong Group Three.

“She’s in good form, Ger is happy with her and we’ve had rain in Ireland, which will help,” said Barry Mahon, European racing manager for owners Juddmonte.

“We’ve been gung-ho all year to go up in trip and this is our first step on that route, so hopefully it will suit. We were heading for a mile and a quarter and this race appeared, so we said we’d go that way and we’re firmly on route to going a mile and a quarter with her.

“I thought she was game and gutsy to win the last day in Killarney, where she needed every yard of the mile, so we’re hopeful we’ll have a good run from her on Saturday.”

John and Thady Gosden’s York Listed winner Sand Gazelle is an interesting contender, with Daniel Tudhope making the trip to Ireland for just ride, while Dermot Weld won the race with Tarawa 12 months ago and attempts to repeat the dose with Meadow Court Stakes runner-up Azada.

Pat Downes, general manager for owner the Aga Khan’s Irish studs, said: “Any rain would certainly help as she enjoys a bit of ease in the ground and she’s in great form, so we’re looking forward to letting her take her chance.

“It was a good run behind One Look last time and the ground that day was probably a shade quicker than ideal for her. If the forecast rain has arrived, it should make the ground lovely for her.”

There is also Group Three action in the Heider Family Stables Round Tower Stakes where Aidan O’Brien looks for a sixth victory in 10 years with course-and-distance winner Mission Control.

In opposition is Adrian Murray’s speedy Ipanema Queen, who showed toughness from the front when a Listed course winner recently and now heads back up in distance with her trainer expecting another bold show.

Murray said: “She’s progressing nicely and going forward the whole time and I’m sure she will run a big race.

“I’m more than happy to go back up to six furlongs with her. She’s one that we’re kind of looking at the Breeders’ Cup at the backend of the year with. She’s got a lot of likeable qualities and she’s a nice filly going forward.”

Ballydoyle appear to hold all the aces in the Newtownanner Stud Irish EBF Stakes, with Sugar Island and Moments Of Joy the standout names in a field of seven.

In the Paddy Power Supporting Cancer Trials Ireland Irish Cambridgeshire, Ryan Moore teams up with William Haggas’ Lincoln winner Godwinson as they seek another valuable prize.