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Grand National festival

'We're rolling the dice' - Harrington supplements in-form Opera hope for €38,000

Trevaunance (ridden by Shane Foley and led up by Aoife McLoughlin): set for tilt at the Prix de l'Opera
Trevaunance (ridden by Shane Foley and led up by Aoife McLoughlin): set for tilt at the Prix de l'OperaCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Further quality has been added to an already high-class Irish team in the Prix de l'Opera (3.50 Sunday) as connections of fast-improving three-year-old Trevaunance have stumped up €38,000 to supplement her for a crack at the Group 1 prize.

Trained by Jessica Harrington, who was just touched off in the same race two years ago with Alpine Star, Trevaunance has already made two lucrative trips to France this season for owner-breeders Moyglare Stud.

She followed up a smart win in the Group 3 Prix de Psyche at Deauville by landing the Group 2 Prix de la Nonette with an improved display at the same venue last month.

Nominated by Harrington as her dark horse for the season in this year's Racing Post Stable Tour series, the 110-rated Muhaarar filly is priced between 14-1 and 16-1 to lower the colours of leading contenders Nashwa, Above The Curve and La Parisienne.

Harrington said: "Hopefully it's a good chance for her to run in a Group 1 so we're rolling the dice.

Shane Foley and Trevaunance return to the Deauville winner's enclosure after the Prix de Psyche
Shane Foley and Trevaunance return to the Deauville winner's enclosure after the Prix de PsycheCredit: Racing Post / Scott Burton

"She's always looked a nice filly and has gone from strength to strength in her last few runs. We'll also run Pivotal Trigger at Longchamp on Sunday in the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere."

Oaks heroine Tuesday remains in contention for the 1m2f contest as Ballydoyle's sole entrant, while the Willie McCreery-trained Insinuendo could be given the chance to avenge her narrow Blandford Stakes defeat against Above The Curve, who represents Joseph O'Brien.

There was also a notable addition on Thursday to the Group 1 Qatar Prix Marcel Boussac (1.50) with trainer Fozzy Stack and owner Craig Bernick showing their faith in promising juvenile Aspen Grove by adding her to the race for €28,800.

It was the Justify filly's first win when causing a massive 66-1 upset in the Group 3 Newtownanner Stud Irish EBF Stakes at the Curragh last time, although the result did not appear to come as a major surprise to connections, who appear to rate her highly.

Aspen Grove: 'won nicely at the Curragh'
Fozzy Stack on Aspen Grove: 'We've always liked her, she's always gone well'Credit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Stack said: "Aspen Grove is in good order and won nicely at the Curragh. We've always liked her, she's always gone well."

On Prix de l'Abbaye-bound Castle Star, Stack said: "He didn't get any luck in running in the Flying Five last time [when finishing eighth of 19 runners] so hopefully he gets a clearer passage on Sunday."

Aspen Grove is a best price 16-1 with William Hill for her Group 1 bid, while Castle Star is available at 25-1 for the weekend's sprint highlight.


Read more on Arc weekend . . .

Arc set to be run on very soft going with more rain expected at Longchamp

Nicholls targets audacious Abbaye raid in poignant bid to emulate his father (Members' Club)

Confirmed runners, riders and draw for the 2022 Arc – plus an early tip


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Mark BoylanReporter

Published on 29 September 2022inGrand National festival

Last updated 17:25, 29 September 2022

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