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Ballyogan Stakes preview
Dan's Dream (centre) found Happen (right) just a bit too good at the Curragh last month
© Photo Healy Racing
Mick Channon is hoping a drop back in distance will not inconvenience Dan's Dream when she bids for a second career Group Three success in Friday's TRM - Excellence In Equine Nutrition Ballyogan Stakes at the Curragh.
The West Ilsley trainer believes it is worth the risk as ground conditions should be in her favour and she was only beaten a short head by Happen at this level in the Athasi Stakes on this course a month ago.
"We think she’s got a decent chance," said Channon, of the daughter of Cityscape, who won the Fred Darling Stakes at Newbury last spring.
"We've brought her back a furlong. We wanted the ground, we’ve got that, so dropping back to six is my only doubt.
"She ran great at the Curragh last month, but that was over seven. We're going to give it a go."
John Oxx has been waiting for enough ease in the going to give Mm Sixsevei her first race for over a year.
The four-year-old filly got off the mark on the second of her only two starts and takes a big step up in grade.
"She’s a nice filly, but she must have soft or heavy ground," said Oxx.
"She obviously won her maiden in Tipperary by a long way (14 lengths), but the ground was heavy that day.
"Hopefully they get plenty of rain. She is a bit of an unknown quantity at this stage."
Mm Sixsevei is owned by Phoenix Thoroughbreds, who are also represented by Mia Mento, who has come on for two races last month, according to her trainer Tom Mullins.
"She took her two races very well and she’s improving all the time, so we’re hopeful of a good run," said the Goresbridge handler.
"We definitely wouldn’t want a lot more rain, but I don’t think there’s much forecast.
"If it went soft, she wouldn't run.
"She’s in good form and those two runs this season have had the desired effect."
Iiex Excelsa makes a quick reappearance after things did not work out for her in a handicap at Listowel on Sunday.
She had previously finished third to the Kevin Ryan-trained Queen Jo Jo who re-opposes, in the Listed Kilvington Stakes at Nottingham last month.
Her trainer Fozzy Stack would like to see rain to help her cause.
"She ran well at Nottingham. She probably wants any bit of rain that falls," said the County Tipperary handler.
"She didn’t really get in the race at Listowel on Sunday, so we’ll just see how she gets on tomorrow. Hopefully, she’ll run a good race."