Kevin Prendergast is keeping his fingers crossed King Ledley gains a deserved first Group-race success in the Galileo EBF Futurity Stakes at Fairyhouse on Saturday.
The juvenile has been running consistently well at a decent level this season, turning in placed efforts in the Railway Stakes and the Anglesey Stakes.
Prendergast was slightly downcast about his latest performance in the Phoenix Stakes, but is confident his charge can bounce back to form this weekend.
"I was a bit disappointed with his last run but he didn't race very well in the ground as it was just atrocious that day," said Prendergast.
"We're hoping he will run better over this seven furlongs and if he can get back to his other form he'll have a fighting chance.
"He's in good shape and is working well so we're going there hopeful."
Joanna Morgan's Moran Gra ran a blinder to finish fourth behind Canford Cliffs in the Coventry Stakes on his penultimate start, but failed to land a blow on his latest outing at Glorious Goodwood.
"I think he will hate the ground but he is just very babyish and needs the education," said Morgan.
"At Goodwood he didn't jump into his stride and was just all at sea.
"Really, I think he wants the ground like a road and seven furlongs."
Aidan O'Brien is responsible for three of the seven entries in the Group Two challenge.
Ballydoyle go to war with Cape Blanco, who is unbeaten, Kingdom Of Munster and Utrillo.
Jim Bolger, who has recently won the Futurity with New Approach and Teofilo, saddles Marfach.
The Ger Lyons-trained Mister Tee completes the septet.
