Morrison sends two as he bids to make it three Prix du Carrousels in a row
Hughie Morrison enjoyed a successful French foray with Marmelo last weekend and the trainer launches another cross-Channel raid to contest a couple of Listed races at Maisons-Laffitte on Sunday.
Morrison has saddled the last two winners of the Prix du Carrousel (4.30) and he is responsible for two of the seven-runner field with 2016 hero Nearly Caught and last year's winner Fun Mac.
The pair clashed at Sandown on Coral-Eclipse day, with Nearly Caught claiming the Listed prize in which Fun Mac finished fourth. However, the trainer feels there is little to separate the pair.
Watch Nearly Caught triumph at Sandown
He said: "They keep running in the same races, but where else do we go? Nearly Caught won this in 2016 and Fun Mac won it last year and I think they have an equal chance."
Nearly Caught was the subject of a contentious demotion from a Group 2 at Hoppegarten in May. However, the trainer is not dwelling on the incident.
Winston upset after Nearly Caught is demoted
"I felt like we were hard done by in Germany," said Morrison. "But you have to just take it on the chin. We got our compensation at Sandown."
Star Rock makes her reappearance in the Prix de la Pepiniere (3.55) but Morrison is expecting her to come on for the run.
He said: "We're realistic about her chances – I'd be surprised if she was ready enough to win. She ideally wants it softer and wants further than ten furlongs."
The well-bred Light Of Joy, meanwhile, takes a steep jump in class having rattled off a hat-trick in handicap company
Trainer David Lanigan said: "She's won three on the bounce but this is a big step up from 0-85 company to Listed level. However, she's done everything asked of her and is in good form so deserves her chance to aim for some black-type – with her pedigree [dam a sister to Oaks winner Light Shift] she'll be a valuable broodmare."
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Published on 21 July 2018inInternational
Last updated 15:15, 21 July 2018
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