Saeed bin Suroor gives Ian Mongan an opportunity to continue the most memorable week of his career aboard Modeyra in the Listed De Vere Venues Atalanta Stakes at Sandown on Saturday.
Mongan enjoyed his first Group One winner when landing the Juddmonte International at York on Twice Over for boss Sir Henry Cecil on Wednesday.
Modeyra, who is joined by stablemate Ragsah, won a Newmarket Listed race on her seasonal bow last term and has not been seen finishing seventh at Doncaster in November, while Ragsah, whose best effort was fourth in the Cheveley Park, is making her three-year-old debut.
Bin Suroor said: “Ragsah has had problems and we have given her plenty of time. She has come back and has been working nicely. However, I think she will need the run. Modeyra is already a Listed winner and looks in good condition, but I’d also expect her to come on for the run.”
There are 17 starters over the mile in Esher and Brian Meehan is responsible for three of them as former winner Strawberrydaiquiri, who used to be trained by Sir Michael Stoute, is joined by three-year-olds Theyskens’ Theory and Brevity.
Strawberrydaiqiuri has been in work here for some time and seems to have retained much of her ability. She should be watched closely on this comeback, but this is very strong for a females’ Listed race,” reported Meehan’s website.
“Brevity was very progressive last year and training forwardly for the 1000 Guineas when suffering a setback in the spring. (She) has done well since going back into training and seems to be showing all her old sparkle. Ring-rustiness as well as the ability of her stablemates might be an issue, but we look forward to her enjoying a productive autumn.
“Theyskens’ Theory missed the Guineas after coming to hand a little slowly in the spring. All seemed well when she won impressively at York, but she disappointed slightly in the Coronation Stakes. All the better for her summer break, this will be a good gauge to her present well-being.”
Roger Varian saddles another likeable type in Dark Promise, who was fourth at Pontefract last time but had earlier compiled a pleasing winning sequence.
Varian said: “It’s a big field and plenty of them have proved themselves at this level so it looks tough on paper. I think our filly has shown a strong level of ability. I think she is suited better by faster ground, so I would like to see a nice sunny day to dry it out a bit.”
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