Top-rated Hit The Bid will 'improve massively' for return in Abergwaun Stakes

6.55 Tipperary
Abergwaun Stakes (Listed) | 5f | 3yo+ | RTV

Given that his last assignment was against the brilliant Blue Point at Meydan in March, Hit The Bid should relish the shallower waters of the Listed Abergwaun Stakes where, according to the handicapper, the speedy son of Exceed And Excel has at least 9lb in hand over his rivals.

Whether the four-time winner will be at his peak on his return from a 173-day absence is questionable, especially with the ground likely to be softer than ideal, and trainer Darren Bunyan expects him to "improve massively" for his comeback.

"He is only just ready to start back and this is all about getting him ready for the Flying Five at the Curragh next month," said Bunyan.

"He will take a big blow and improve massively for the run. Whatever he does here, you can be guaranteed there will be loads of improvement in him."

The trainer added: "He has had extended break as we have a big international campaign through the winter in mind for him. He has done tremendous through the summer, too well in fact, and it has taken a bit longer to get him fit."

Gold Filigree: finished a close third to Servalan in a Listed race at Naas last monthCredit: Alan Crowhurst

Dods and Hughes out to plunder prize for British-based trainers

This sprint has gone to runners trained in Britain five times this decade - Spirit Quartz [2016], Monsieur Joe [2015], Sir Maximilian [2014] and Inxile [2012, 2011] - so it is no surprise to see Richard Hughes and Michael Dods sending runners across the Irish Sea.

Hughes sends Gold Filigree back to Ireland for the first time since she finished a close third to Servalan in a Listed race at Naas last month and, since then, she has run a solid fourth at Chester.

Hughes said: "She was drawn 16 at Naas and ran a hell of a race just to get caught late on. If she runs a similar race to that she'll be bang there again. Seamie Heffernan has been booked and knows every blade of grass around there."

The Dods-trained Deia Glory has not won since landing a novice stakes at Catterick in July of last year but has put up some brave displays in defeat, including when just a length behind smart sprinter Copper Knight at York in the middle of last month.

Urban Beat: has already defeated upwardly-mobile filly Soffia this seasonCredit: Patrick McCann

Soffia conqueror has conditions in his favour

Urban Beat has one piece of form in particular that makes him a worthy contender, having already beaten upwardly-mobile filly Soffia this season.

Since that defeat, Soffia has won her next three starts and is now regarded as one of Ireland's top sprinters with an official rating of 115.

Urban Beat must give away weight to all his rivals but conditions should suit, having has won twice on heavy ground, and his two most-recent victories have been with yielding in the going description.

"He's had a bit of a break as we have been waiting for a bit of cut in the ground but he is ready to start back now," said trainer Johnny Murtagh.

"He has to give a 3lb penalty away, which won't make life easy, but we have an autumn campaign in mind for him and he seems in good form."

Winners to earn free entry to Irish Champions Weekend

The winning connections will not only receive a cheque for €26,550 but will also have their €1,600 entry fee for the Group 1 Derrinstown Stud Flying Five on September 15 reimbursed.

It is a similar scenario for the winner of the Fairy Bridge Stakes (5.55), with the winner earning a free pass to run in the Coolmore-backed Matron Stakes at Leopardstown the previous day.

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