Search
Punchestown 2024
Punchestown 2024
- irishracing.com
- Punchestown
- News
- Step up in trip expected to suit Varian's filly
Step up in trip expected to suit Varian's filly
Cursory Glance
© Photo Healy Racing
Roger Varian is looking for the step up to seven furlongs to bring about a Group One win for Cursory Glance in today's Moyglare Stud Stakes at the Curragh.
A hugely impressive winner of the Albany Stakes on her second start, she just did not quite have the same pace as Richard Hannon's speedball Tiggy Wiggy in the Lowther Stakes at York.
She certainly lost little in defeat on the Knavesmire and given how strongly she finished that race, it looks the right time to step her up in trip.
"She's been in good form and took her last run in her stride," said Varian.
"The plan has been to run in the Moyglare as she needs to step up to seven furlongs now. She wants decent ground and fingers crossed, the ground will stay that way. She looks in great order and the form of the Lowther looks very strong and I've been very happy with her.
"It's a Group One and the field looks strong so I just hope she's good enough."
Jim Bolger 's Godolphin filly Lucida is a contender on her narrow second in the Debutante Stakes but there are two other raiders in the mix.
The Moyglare has gone to Britain for the last couple of years through Sky Lantern and Rizeena, and the former's Richard Hannon stable supplies Princess Margaret winner Osaila
Meanwhile the Hannons' friend and rival Mick Channon runs Malabar who was fourth to Cursory Glance in the Albany when just a maiden. Swooping late under a confident Richard Hughes, she took the Prestige Stakes at Goodwood in some style.
Channon's son and assistant Michael jnr said: "Malabar won very well at Goodwood, it wasn't necessarily what she beat that day but more the manner in which she did it that caught the eye.
"She's the stand-out filly in our stable, that's for sure. Whether that's good enough to be winning a Moyglare is another question. Hopefully it will be."
Aidan O'Brien has six previous victories and supplies four of the 10 runners.
Experienced trio Qualify Simply A Star and I Am Beautiful are joined by Found an exceptionally-bred daughter of Galileo and Red Evie who won her only start in a mile maiden at the same course last month.
Jessica Harrington 's Jeanne Girl who chased home I Am Beautiful in a Group Three at the course in June, and Kevin Prendergast's Beach Belle may both now have something to find at this level.