Finans Bay© Photo Healy Racing
Mick Halford doesn't expect the drop back in trip to inconvenience Finans Bay in the Listed Edmund & Josie Whelan Memorial Listowel Stakes today.
The four-year-old Kodiac gelding reverts back to nine furlongs after performing with credit in his last three starts over a mile and a quarter.
After a close sixth in the Group 3 International Stakes at the Curragh, he improved to take third in the Group 3 Royal Whip at the same track.
He was last seen being beaten a pair of necks and a nose into fourth in a thrilling finish to the valuable Northfields Handicap at Headquarters on Irish Champions Weekend.
“He's in good form and his last couple of runs have been very consistent and solid, the trainer said.
“I don't think the ground or trip will be any bother to him, dropping back a furlong, and he's a solid horse in what looks a competitive race.
“I'm happy with him since the Curragh. We don't normally pull them out all that quick but he's been fresh and well and he'll take his chance.”
Finans Bay's sole success came over a mile and one furlong in a Leopardstown maiden in August last year where he beat Astadash who scored in Group 3 company at Gowran Park last weekend.
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
