Stampy in 'great shape' as she bids to go one better than last year

8.25 BallinrobeTreacy's Pharmacies Irish EBF Fillies Handicap | 1m5f| ATR

Runner-up in this valuable contest 12 months ago, the David Broad-trained Little Stampy is bidding to go one better this time.

The blinkered six-year-old faces eight rivals in this €26,000 handicap, with Gordon Elliott’s versatile Water Sprite and Jarlath Fahey’s Nanabad the chief challengers.

Water Sprite has been mixing fences and hurdles of late but is a three-time winner on the Flat and her form on the level stacks up.

Nanabad heads the weights. While she was disappointing on her latest start at the Curragh, connections are hoping for a better show under promising 7lb claimer Dylan Hogan.

Charles Byrnes and Pat Smullen team up with Denham Sound, a recent Wexford maiden hurdle winner who has yet to score on the Flat.

What they say

Jarlath Fahey, trainer of Nanabad
We were a bit disappointed with how she ran at the Curragh last time when she just fizzled out of contention. She has been pleasing us lately. Dylan Hogan is riding plenty of winners and knows her well, so his 7lb claim will be an asset.

Johnny Murtagh, trainer of Chocolat Noir
I couldn’t be happier with her but we could do with a drop of rain. If it comes I could see her running a good race.

Charles Byrnes, trainer of Denham Sound
She won her maiden hurdle nicely at Wexford and has been in good form since, so we are rolling the dice back on the Flat. It’s a very good pot, which is why we are taking a chance.

David Broad, trainer of Little Stampy
She came out of her handicap hurdle run at Downpatrick in great shape and we are looking forward to running her. She was second in this race last year and fingers crossed she can go in this time. I would like to see a little bit of rain for her. With the blinkers back on I think she can run well.