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Weld runs two as he seeks fifth success in Listed event

Pat Smullen: the nine-time champion will need to notch a win at Navan to keep alive his title aspirations
Pat Smullen: the nine-time champion will need to notch a win at Navan to keep alive his title aspirationsCredit: Patrick McCann

Irish Stallion Farms EBF Hurry Harriet Stakes (Listed) | 3yo+ | 1m1½f | ATR

Named in honour of the 1973 Champion Stakes winner, the Hurry Harriet Stakes has proved a happy hunting ground for Dermot Weld since its inauguration in 2007.

With four wins to his name, no trainer has a better record in this Listed race than Weld, who bids to continue the stable’s resurgence in form with Sea Swift and Making Light.

Champion jockey Pat Smullen has partnered all four of Weld's past winners and has opted for Group 3 Killavullan Stakes winner Making Light over the hooded Sea Swift, the mount of Leigh Roche.

Aidan O'Brien, twice the winning trainer of this race, saddles three in opposition, headed by Oaks third Alluringly.

Since making the frame behind the brilliant Enable in the Epsom Classic, the daughter of Fastnet Rock has finished out of the frame in two subsequent runs and was last seen finishing sixth, again behind Enable, in the Irish Oaks last month.

Pavlenko, a Deep Impact three-year-old out of Group 1-winner Maybe, and the 97-rated Pocketfullofdreams, who has won just one of her ten starts to date, complete O'Brien's challenge.

Elegant Pose could be unexposed

The Ger Lyons-trained Elegant Pose, a half-sister to stable star Brendan Bracken, chases her third win from as many starts and was successful over today's course and distance last month. This race represents a step up in class but she enters the race as an unexposed sort.

What they say

Dermot Weld, trainer of Sea Swift and Making Light
Both fillies are very well. Making Light is a Group-winning filly and I expect her to run a nice race. Sea Swift always seems to run well at Gowran Park - she finished second in a Listed race behind Somehow there in April - and I think she will also run a nice race. It’s a very hot renewal.

Aidan O'Brien, trainer of Alluringly, Pavlenko and Pocketfullofdreams
Alluringly has had a little break since the Irish Oaks and she is ready to return now dropping back slightly in trip. She seems well, as does Pavlenko, who was a good third at Cork last time behind Sir John Lavery. She is a progressive filly and hopefully the ground won’t be too testing for her. Pocketfullofdreams is also in good form and she handles ease in the ground.

Willie McCreery, trainer of Valentana and Aurora Butterfly
She ran well in the Irish Oaks but I think the step back in trip will suit her. She won’t mind the ground and she has been in very good form lately. Valentana won’t mind the ground either but we are just looking for a bit of black-type with her.

Jessica Harrington, trainer of Black Ruby and I'm So Fancy
Black Ruby didn't stay over a mile and a half at Fairyhouse last time and, with that in mind, we are dropping her back in trip. I'm So Fancy ran a cracker at Galway and we are hopeful she can run well again. She's in good form.

Published on 15 August 2017inPreviews

Last updated 18:06, 15 August 2017

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