Halford sweet on Rehana in Athasi Stakes Mick Halford expects Rehana to relish conditions when the filly lines up for the Canford Cliffs Irish EBF Athasi Stakes at Naas on Monday. The daughter of Dark Angel was only beaten a length when third to Hydrangea in the 1,000 Guineas Trial at Leopardstown three weeks ago and holds entries in the fillies' Classics on both sides of the Irish Sea. "She's in very good form. We were very pleased with her first run of the year. She just got tired the last 100 yards," said Halford. "She will appreciate the fast ground. It's a good race for her and we're looking forward to a big run from her. "It's nice to get her out early and she's got her ground. She's always wanted fast ground. She's not always had it so that will be good for her." Rehana is one of a trio of three-year-olds - the others being Elizabeth Browning and Zenobia - taking on older horses in this Group Three for fillies and mares. Fozzy Stack's four-year-old Diamond Fields has to give weight all round thanks to beating Alice Springs over this seven furlongs three weeks ago. "She's giving the three-year-olds a lot of weight, but she is a Group winner," said Stack. "She has her chance, hopefully and she's in good form." Another Story takes the plunge into Pattern company having won all her three starts, having had just one race in each of the last three years so far. "She's fit and she's well and she's ready, but it's a massive step up in class," said trainer Sheila Lavery. "We think she is of that class. We have to run to find out. She's in good form, so it's fingers crossed." Five-year-old Penny Pepper is the oldest horse in the nine-strong field and her trainer Kevin Prendergast is hoping for some much-needed rain for the daughter of Fast Company. "She'll only run if the ground changes," said the County Kildare handler. "She has some black type already and she's won a couple of races, so she doesn't necessarily have to run." Rose De Pierre was a fine winner of the Listed Heritage Stakes at Leopardstown and has been declared by Dermot Weld, while th ere is a British raider in the shape of the Mick Channon-trained Summer Icon.
