Belle Image and regular partner Robbie Colgan© Photo Healy Racing
Belle Image will miss Royal Ascot following a slight setback and instead Sheila Lavery is eyeing a Group 2 target at the Curragh next month.
The daughter of Kodi Bear won a barrier trial at Dundalk and an Auction Maiden at the Curragh as a juvenile and also just missed out on a huge payday when beaten a short-head and a neck into third in the valuable Tattersalls Sales Race at the Curragh on Irish Champions Weekend.
She has progressed nicely in three outings this year notably finishing well last time in fourth, beaten just over a length, behind Empress Josephine in the Tattersalls Irish 1,000 Guineas.
“The Jersey was the plan but she got cast and gave herself a knock. She missed a few days and we didn’t want to travel her after being on antibiotics,” said Lavery.
“I’d say we’ll aim now for the Kilboy Estate Stakes over a mile and one at the Curragh (on July 18).”
The Summerhill trainer won’t be represented at Ascot this week adding, “We had a couple of other entries like Quizical in a handicap but I won’t be having a runner as the ground is too fast.”
