Ken Condon is praying it will be third time lucky for the rescheduled Irish Stallion Farms EBF Brownstown Stakes at Naas tomorrow.
The Group Three contest over seven furlongs has twice been lost to the weather at his Fairyhouse home and has now been switched to Naas in an effort to finally get it run..
While Condon admits Naas would not be his chosen venue, the Co Kildare handler is pleased Marvada looks like getting the chance to perform at last.
“I hope it’s finally on tomorrow, but I would have preferred it to be at Leopardstown,” said Condon.
“It’s already a week over-scheduled and they want to get it on as soon as possible.
“It’s going to be testing there tomorrow, but Marvada is in very good form.
“Earlier on we used to always keep her to quicker ground, but she certainly ran well on what turned out to be soft ground at Leopardstown on her last start.
“She got it through it well and she put up a good show against a very good filly of John Oxx’s (Alanza).
“We’ve been very happy with her since and whilst the ground is going to be heavy, and we don’t really know how she will go on it, she is in good shape and we’re hopeful she’ll put up a good show.
“Our horse is the only four-year-old in the race, but there are smart ones in there like After. She was fifth in the (Irish) Guineas and is rated 107.
“Our rating is 101 and we’re pretty exposed so we need to improve to be involved but she’s in great form and she’s fit and well.”
A field of five was declared with Empowering the only absentee from the six that had been set to face up at Fairyhouse today.
Her trainer Aidan O’Brien is still represented by After while Paul Deegan saddles Caprella.
David Wachman relies on Singing Bird and the daughter of Excellent Art is the least experienced runner of the quintet with just two starts to her name.
“Singing Bird is improving and has only run twice. She was fourth in a Group Three the last day (behind Alanza) and seems to have improved again so hopefully she might run a good race,” said the Co Tipperary handler.
Kevin Prendergast is looking for a good run from Bulbul, who was not beaten far when seventh to Tiddliwinks in the Greenlands Stakes at the Curragh.
“She’s got a good chance. She seems to be very well and we are hoping for a good result,” said the Co Kildare trainer.