JET Setting pleased connections in a gallop on Saturday morning as she continues her preparation for the Group 3 Coolmore Stud Fairy Bridge Stakes at Tipperary on August 25.
The daughter of Fast Company provided trainer Adrian Keatley and owners Equinegrowthpartners Syndicate with a dream Classic success when landing the Group 1 Irish 1000 Guineas at the Curragh in May. She beat prolific Group 1 winner Minding that day and is the only filly to have topped Aidan O'Brien's dual classic winner since last September.
Jet Setting was subsequently bought by China Horse Club for £1.3million on the eve of Royal Ascot, where she finished sixth to Qemah in the Group 1 Coronation Stakes.
Keatley has given Jet Setting a break since that run in June but reports her to be firing on all cylinders ahead of her planned return.
He said: "She's 100 per cent. She did a nice bit of work this morning and everything is on course for Thursday week. She's in great order and we're looking forward to it. The weather has been a bit in and out here but there's still plenty of juice in the ground and that's what we'd be hoping for."
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GROUP 3 TARGETS FOR LAVERY-TRAINED PAIR
Another Story could take a hike in class and tackle Jet Setting in that Group 3 contest at Tipperary. The three-year-old has won each of her two starts to date, landing a Dundalk maiden last November before following up in a handicap at that venue on her return in May.
Sheila Lavery has bided her time with the daughter of Rip Van Winkle since that outing but with an entry in the Group 1 Matron Stakes next month, the trainer could test her mettle at this lower level first.
She told www.theirishfield.ie: "She is two from two. She has grown and matured and I like her a lot. We took her away on Tuesday and that went well. She is in the Fairy Bridge and she might go there, but she lacks experience.
"I bred her and I have her dam so it makes sense to chase black type with her, but she is still green and raw and she needs to learn a bit more about the game. But she has improved and her work has been very good. She is in the Matron at Leopardstown and she has paid her entry fees, so she is well in credit. The Fairy Bridge will tell us more about her and I'd imagine that she will be kept in training next year.
Lavery also has set her sights on the Group 3 Round Tower Stakes with Mr Scarlet.
The two-year-old opened his account at the second time of asking when lifting a competitive maiden event over five furlongs at Naas last month. He previously finished fourth over six furlongs on his debut and Lavery is now planning to switch back to that trip for his next outing at the Curragh on August 28.
She told www.theirishfield.ie: "He'll go for the Round Tower. I didn't look for anything straight after (his victory) at Naas - I just want to get him a bit slimmer and fitter. Gary (Carroll) said after he rode him the first day at Fairyhouse that he'd win the second day and he is just a smart horse. He has always shown us plenty at home and I loved him at the sales last year.
"He just needed the run the first day and six furlongs suits him well. He likes good ground and I'd like to think that there is more to come from him. There has been a lot of interest in him and we have turned down good money for him. John (Lavery, owner) is keen to get some black type for him and then we'll see."
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GROUP 1 COOLMORE NUNTHORPE STAKES
Sole Power is on course for another crack at the Group 1 Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes at York on Friday. The Edward Lynam-trained nine-year-old won the race in 2014 and is one of just two Irish contenders among the 22 horses that are still in the mix.
The other is Aidan O'Brien's Washington DC, who will be aiming to gain compensation for a narrow defeat in the King George Stakes at Glorious Goodwood last month.
July Cup hero Limato was one of three supplementary entries; connections of the Henry Candy-trained runner paid the £30,000 fee to add their runner to the five-furlong event following his impressive Newmarket success.
Charlie Hills' in-form, and in-foal, filly Silver Rainbow is another addition to the field along with Mark Johnston's juvenile Yalta, who landed the Group 3 Molecomb Stakes at Goodwood last time. Johnston has another two-year-old contender and Goodwood second The Last Lion still in the mix, with the pair getting a huge weight advantage over their older rivals.
The list is headed by last year's winner Mecca's Angel, who is one of two possibles for Michael Dods along with Easton Angel. King's Stand winner Profitable is a leading challenge for Clive Cox with Robert Cowell having the pick of four in Goldream, Spirit Quartz, Iffranesia and two-year-old Prince Of Lir.
Goken, Brando, Cotai Glory, Danzeno, Muthmir, Out Do, Pearl Secret, Take Cover and Thesme complete the list of possibles.
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SO MI DAR
John Gosden will bide his time with So Mi Dar as she nears a return from a spell on the sidelines.
The three-year-old has won each of her three starts to date, lifting a Windsor maiden on her only juvenile outing last October, before returning to claim the Investec Derby Trial at Epsom and the Musidora Stakes at York this term.
She ran out a four-length winner on the Knavesmire in May and was one of the leading contenders for the Oaks until suffering a setback in the run up to the classic.
So Mi Dar is entered in both the Group 2 Moyglare "Jewels" Blandford Stakes at the Curragh on September 11 and the Group 1 Qipco British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes at Ascot on October 15 at this stage.
Gosden said: "She is cantering fine and is in good order. She has developed and strengthened but we are talking September or October before she is back. We will take it one step at a time and do what is right for her."
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G FORCE
Adrian Keatley has the William Hill Ayr Gold Cup on September 17 as a target for Group 1-winning sprinter G Force.
The son of Tamayuz has had three starts for Keatley and was most recently seen finishing a disappointing last of the 27 runners in the Stewards' Cup at Goodwood. However, Keatley felt his charge had a valid excuse that day and is now eyeing a crack at the valuable Ayr handicap.
He said: "We felt there was a very good chance he had displaced his palate at Goodwood so we have treated him for that since the race. Hopefully we will have him back in time to go for the Ayr Gold Cup in September."