THE weather may have claimed the sprint but Tipperary still hosts an intriguing six-race card on Thursday evening, featuring the Group 3 Fairy Bridge Stakes which promises to be a corker.
The seven-furlong event is due off at 6.20 and has attracted a field of 11 which is laden with quality. Possibly the most interesting aspect of the contest is the rivalry which is renewed between Lady Wingshot and Yellow Rosebud.
Just a head separated the pair in a 7f Listed event at Galway three weeks ago and few would bet against them being heavily involved in the finish of this contest.
After (fourth), Caprella (fifth) and Singing Bird (sixth) were also in that Galway race and are back to try and do better.
Jim Bolger, trainer of Lady Wingshot, has sent out two winners of the race including Modeeroch, for Lady Wingshot’s owners Ballylinch Stud, in 2006 and he has high hopes of adding another.
He said: “Her draw isn’t ideal but I’m very happy with her. She handled testing ground when she won at Galway last time and is a filly with a great attitude.”
Dermot Weld, trainer of Yellow Rosebud is hoping that his filly can exact revenge. He said: “She ran a good race when just beaten at Galway. She handles easy ground well and is in good form. I expect a very good run from her.”
Paul Deegan, who has a winner on Wednesday at Bellewstown, is represented by the consitent Caprella.
“She’ll appreciate being back on a more conventional track following her run at Galway,” Deegan said. Before adding: “She’s been holding her own at Listed and Group 3 level and handles soft ground. She’s thriving and developing all the time and has been in super form since her last run.”
Willie McCreery, trainer of Coolnagree said: “She’s in good order and is entitled to take her chance. She’s won and run well on easy ground but it would be a concern if it is very testing.”
Hooray, trained by Sir Mark Prescott, became the first British-trained challenger to contest the race when she started favourite and finished only eight a year ago. Boastful and Radio Gaga, both of whom have won Listed events and been placed at Group 3 level, are the visitors today.
Elaine Burke believes that Boastful will love the ground. She said: “We had to find another jockey (Martin Harley) for her, but she’ll take her chance and will love the ground.”
The €30,000 Irish Stallion Farms EBF Premier Nursery Handicap (5.45) should be a race to savour as the Pat Flynn-trained Designs On Rome takes on Blue Bullet from the Willie Mullins stable.
The six-race card at Tipperary begins at 5.15pm and patrons travelling to Tipperary from the Limerick direction should note that the N24 is closed at Oola and a 20-minute diversion is in place. Please allow extra time for your journey.
var $facebookBlock = $(‘#facebook’);
if ($facebookBlock.length){
$facebookBlock.attr(‘allowTransparency’, true);
}