AYR Gold Cup-winning trainer Fozzy Stack is hoping for further success at the Scottish track as his progressive filly Grande Marques lines up in the Group 3 Virgin Bet Every Saturday Money Back Firth Of Clyde Stakes at 3pm today.
Scotland’s only group race is named after a body of water off the coast of Ayr and, ironically, was called off due to waterlogging in 1985 and 2017. Johnny Murtagh’s Prime Art won on good-to-soft ground last year, but the going is currently described as good, which should suit Fozzy Stack’s contender.
“She won well the last day,” Stack said of Michael Begley’s homebred. “She’ll need to step forward again, but we’re hoping she could get blacktype.”
Grande Marques is a full-sister to Bubbles On Ice, who left Stack with a rating of 101 following her fourth in the Group 1 Moyglare Stud Stakes. The Starspangledbanner filly’s win came over a mile, but Stack says Grand Marques “has more of a sprinting mind.”
“It’s a good opportunity for two-year-old fillies and Ayr makes a good effort with visitors,” Stack noted.
De Bromhead back for more
Henry de Bromhead is responsible for the only other Irish runner, Town And Country, a Navan maiden winner last time out. The 160,000gns yearling bids to continue her trainer’s fine season in the UK, with his six runners to date winning two group races and the Ebor Handicap.
“She seems in good form,” de Bromhead told The Irish Field. “We’re happy with her and hoping for a good run.”
The Earthlight filly’s win came over five furlongs, but de Bromhead is confident today’s six-furlong trip will suit. “Billy thought that would be the right way to go with her. She won her barrier trial well over six at Dundalk, and she was probably a bit unlucky and a bit green at Naas after that.”
The Nicola Roden and Siobhan Nolan-owned chesnut will be partnered by Jim Crowley today, while Danny Tudhope gets the leg up on Grande Marques.
SHARING OPTIONS: