Mark Johnston looking for Curragh plunder with speedy Marie’s Diamond
The Middleham Park-owned two-year-old will bid for a first Group win of his career in the Anglesey Stakes
TRAINER Mark Johnston is keeping the faith in his ace sprinter Marie's Diamond as he bids for overseas booty in the Anglesey Stakes on Saturday.
The son of Footstepsinthesand heads back the Curragh to try and build on his second in the Railway Stakes last month.
He went off a relatively unfancied 7-1 shot that day but proved his doubters wrong by finishing a brave second behind smart colt Van Beethoven.
That performance was a big step up on his previous form, and his trainer believes it's only a matter of time before he breaks his Group race duck.
Connections are hoping that the drop in grade will help see him return to winning ways and report their colt to be in good form ahead of the race.
Mike Prince, of owners Middleham Park Racing, said: "We were delighted to get James Doyle booked earlier in the week, we knew he was going over to ride Sea Of Class in the Oaks.
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"We were pleased with his run in the Railway, but obviously that form hasn't worked out too well to date.
"We've been pleased with our lad since, though, and expect him to run another good race."
Irish maestro Aidan O'Brien had a few contenders at entry stage but chooses to rely on Just Wonderful.
The daughter of Dansili won nicely on debut but was disappointing in the Albany Stakes at Royal Ascot, finishing fourteenth of eighteen runners, and O'Brien is hoping for an improved showing.
"She's in good form. She got a little bit of time since Ascot and she's just ready to start back again.
"Maybe the whole occasion just came a little bit too quick for her at Ascot."
Cruciatus, Gee Rex, Fantasy and Viadera complete the field for the Group 3 contest.
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Earlier on the card, a strong field of seventeen go to post for the valuable Scurry Stakes, a premier handicap over six furlongs.
Trainer Eve Johnson Houghton is hoping that the consistent Ice Age can bring the prize back across the Irish Sea.
She said: "I adore this horse. He's never run particularly well at Ascot, but he bounced back to win at Windsor, which is a track he loves.
"He's won at the Curragh before and he's the sort of horse who runs well on the same tracks every year.
"He's not ground dependent at all. If he's in good form with himself, that's all that matters really.
"He's in fantastic form."
Others to note include Gunmetal, who lines up for trainer David Barron having won his last two starts, Hello Brigette, who won her last start in good style, and Intisaab for trainer David O'Meara.