Ipanema Queen aiming to give Adrian Murray more glory at Ayr

Ipanema Queen will be out to book her ticket to the Breeders’ Cup when she heads to Ayr for the British EBF Stallions Harry Rosebery Stakes on Friday.

Adrian Murray’s Irish raider got the better of Flying Childers runner-up Kansas when last seen at this five-furlong distance and has the chance to continue her handler’s fine run of form, with a strong performance needed to secure her spot in Del Mar.

Murray said: “She’s travelled over well and we’re hoping for a big run – I expect her to put up a good show.

“I think she’ll be happier back down at five furlongs, six the last time might just have stretched her a little bit.

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Good form

“The Breeders’ Cup would be on her radar and we’d be hoping she runs well enough tomorrow to go there, that would be the plan. She’s a nice filly so we will hope for the best.”

Richard Fahey finished second in this race last year and will look to go one better with Boston Dan, who was runner-up in the ‘Harry’s Half Million’ sales race at York before opening his account with ease at Hamilton earlier this month.

Fahey said: “He’s in good form, he needs to step up on what he’s shown so far up against three or four of them, but he won’t mind the ground and he goes there in good shape.

“He’s got the experience and he’s getting better every time, so fingers crossed, as he’ll enjoy conditions.”

Consistent

Archie Watson’s Shine On Me brings proven Group-race form to the table and was last seen finishing third in the Prix d’Arenberg at ParisLongchamp.

“She’s thoroughly likeable and consistent,” said Richard Brown, racing adviser for owners Wathnan Racing.

“She does sometimes lose her way a bit when she’s in front so we’re going to put cheekpieces on her which should sharpen her up. James Doyle is back on her and hopefully she is going to run a big race.”

Richard Hughes struck last year with Star Of Mehmas and the recent York scorer will be action on the card once again in the other Listed contest, the Arran Scottish Sprint EBF Fillies’ Stakes.

The form of her Knavesmire triumph has been franked since by the runner-up Eternal Sunshine who was seen winning the Portland at Doncaster, while in third that day was Katie Scott’s Luna A Inbhir Nis, who will reoppose Star Of Mehmas seeking a seventh win of the season.

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