Shay Barry's smart filly Akira bids to continue her excellent run of form in the Xtravision & HMV Supporting Irish Autism Action Dance Design Fillies Stakes at the Curragh.

Good enough to be placed in Listed company during her debut season as a three-year-old when trained by Eoin Doyle, the current campaign did not get off to the best of starts with Akira finishing down the field in races at the Curragh and Tipperary.

However, the four-year-old has returned in better form since being given a break, finishing third in the Listed Platinum Stakes at Cork before going down by just a length to Brooch at Killarney.

She turns out a week and a half later for this Group Three contest and Barry hopes she can further enhance her potential broodmare value with a positive showing.

The trainer said: "We've always though she was a nice filly, but she was sick earlier in the season. She ran a real good race in Killarney the last day and she's back to her best.

"It's a Group Three race so it won't be easy, but I think she could run well. She's versatile ground-wise, as long as it's not too deep or too firm. They are calling it good to yielding this weekend and that should be fine.

"If she could pick up a bit more black type we'd be delighted."