Aviate: smart filly has not been in action since the Investec Oaks in June

  PICTURE: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)  

Cecil hopeful Aviate can go well in Blandford

AVIATE is to make her return in the Group 2 Blandford Stakes at the Curragh on Sunday and will leave for Ireland on Friday morning.

The daughter of Dansili has been off the racecourse since the Investec Oaks  at Epsom in June, but has been pleasing trainer Henry Cecil in her recent work on the Al Bahathri Polytrack.

Aviate won the Tattersalls Musidora Stakes at York earlier this season and will be partnered by Eddie Ahern.

"It will be a tough race but there is very little choice for fillies like her in the programme book," Cecil said on Thursday.

"She seems in very good form and hopefully she can run well."

Aviate was supplemented at a cost of €10,000 by connections on Tuesday for the Tote-sponsored Blandford Stakes, a 1m2f contest for fillies and mares.