AFTER a fabulous season that yielded three Group 1s in all last term, it was a pleasant surprise to see Highfield Princess return to action and John Quinn’s mare has been right at the top of her game, despite only one win from five starts.

On The Irish Field podcast this week, Quinn reflected on her latest effort, when she finished second to Live In The Dream in the Nunthorpe at York, before looking ahead to the Curragh.

“She ran really, really well at York,” he said. “The winner wasn’t one of the fancied ones but showed tremendous early speed and just got away from the field. We had five Royal Ascot winners in behind us, she ran her heart out.

“Obviously it’s a quick turnaround but we’ve just kept her ticking over and we’re delighted with her. She has shown a great liking for the Curragh last year. She goes on all grounds but I wouldn’t want the ground too quick.

“I’d have thought her performance to win the Flying Five was up there with her very best, but she equalled that at Goodwood (in the King George Qatar Stakes).”

As well as Highfield Princess, Quinn sends over his fine servant Mr Wagyu, who is among a strong British challenge in the Bold Lad Handicap. Likewise to his stablemate, the eight-year-old would prefer a little bit of give in the ground, according to his trainer.

You can listen to the views of John Quinn and leading rider Kevin Stott in The Irish Field’s Irish Champions Festival preview podcast, which is available on all the usual podcast platforms now.