Highfield Princess out to complete sensational Group 1 hat-trick in Flying Five

Sunday: 2.25 Curragh
Al Basti Equiworld, Dubai Flying Five Stakes (Group 1) | 5f | 3yo+ | ITV4/RTE2/RTV

A strong British team of quality and quantity has helped deliver the biggest field assembled for this race since it was switched to the Curragh in 2002.

Highfield Princess, who gave The Platinum Queen 24lb and a two-and-a-half length beating in the Nunthorpe, is one of six overseas challengers and will be tough to beat if reproducing her latest effort.

However, it's possible a busy recent schedule could catch up with the Prix Maurice de Gheest heroine and she cannot afford to run too far below her best.

Last year's winner Romantic Proposal is highly effective at the Curragh, with form figures of 2131 last year, while A Case Of You, runner-up to the Lynam-trained mare 12 months ago, has been trained to peak in the autumn after a light summer campaign.

Romantic Proposal: bids for back-to-back wins in the Flying Five StakesCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Only a shorthead separated Ladies Church and Mooneista when clashing in the Group 2 Sapphire Stakes over this course and distance eight weeks ago. Both hold live each-way chances, although Mooneista has the potential to excel with ease in the ground.

Fozzy Stack's decision to miss last week's Sprint Cup at Haydock with Castle Star could be rewarded, as easier ground conditions at the Curragh are bound to play to his strengths.

Runner-up to Perfect Power in last year's Middle Park Stakes, he could be a forgotten horse making just his second start of the season.

We didn't see the best of Raasel, trained by Mick Appleby, in the Nunthorpe last time but he previously looked an improving sprinter. He has looked particularly good on quick ground, but if handling this slower surface just as well, he could take home a share of the prize-money to Britain.

Quinn pleased with Princess progress

Highfield Princess faces her third Group 1 assignment in a third different country in five weeks, but John Quinn says he is pleased with his Nunthorpe star's wellbeing ahead of a tilt at Sunday's €400,000 prize.

Reverting to this trip saw the much improved five-year-old deliver a clear career-best at York 23 days ago, and an official mark of 120 leaves her 3lb clear of her nearest rival.

Quinn said: "We were very happy with how she came out of York but there are a lot of runners and it's a Group 1, which is never easy.

"It's going to be tough with a lot of horses in there with soft ground form, but she's in good shape and we'll give it another go."

What they say

Ado McGuinness, trainer of A Case Of You
It was his first start over five furlongs when finishing second in this race last year and we're happy with him going back there again. He hasn't run since June, but he's been away for two good racecourse gallops and he's going there in good nick. The rain won't have done him any harm.

A Case Of You: dual Group 1 winner for Ado McGuinnessCredit: Edward Whitaker

Paddy Twomey, trainer of Erosandpsyche
He has improved with every run this year and is in good form. I think the trip and track will suit.

Chris Dixon of the Horse Watchers, owners of Raasel
The ground is a bit of an unknown but his former connections thought he wanted ease. We expected him to run a bit better at York but he didn't get any real cover and he's better with something to follow. If he gets cover tomorrow he should run closer to form.

Fozzy Stack, trainer of Castle Star
The ground was very fast at Haydock, so we chose not to run him in the Sprint Cup last week. He's still showing us plenty at home.

Clive Cox, trainer of Caturra
He's travelled over well and we've kept him fresh for this race. I was very happy with his run last time at Goodwood, which was by far his best of the season. The cheekpieces held his concentration and I'm just hoping stall one isn't an inconvenience. I'm not too worried about the easy ground because it was actually on the softer side when he was just beaten in a Listed race at York last year. I think he's coming to the boil at the right time.

Hugo Palmer, trainer of Ebro River
I think five furlongs will suit him. He'd have run in the Nunthorpe but the talk of the rain was only talk. They've had rain and he's run his two career-best races at the Curragh, so he has lots in his favour. Our fingers are firmly crossed.

Ebro River: returns to the scene of his sole Group 1 win in last year's Phoenix StakesCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Jack Davison, trainer of Mooneista
She's 110 per cent and goes there in great form. I think and hope she can run a big race. The rain shouldn't inconvenience her at all.

Eddie Lynam, trainer of Romantic Proposal
I was happy with her heading into last year's race and I'm happy now, even though she's missed most of the summer. She wouldn't like the ground to turn soft.

Joseph O'Brien, trainer of Brostaigh
She's already a Group 2 winner over five furlongs and hopefully she can run a good race. She wouldn't want too much rain.

Johnny Murtagh, trainer of Ladies Church
Everything has gone smoothly with her since you saw her last. It was always the plan to wait for the Flying Five. I'm looking forward to seeing how she copes with Group 1 company now.

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