RACING:JOHN OXX hopes to secure "Champions Day" success at Ascot this afternoon with Saddler's Rock and also aims to keep the home fires burning at Naas tomorrow where Manieree can bounce back to winning form in the €60,000 Listed feature.
The Group Two-winning mudlark found the company too hot in the Prix de l'Opera a fortnight ago and drops back to a mile now for the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Garnet Stakes.
However, she is a 109-rated filly having just a fourth start of the campaign and crucially conditions look set to be in her favour.
Her main rival on the book, Chrysanthemum, also holds an entry in today's Listed feature at Cork.
Tomorrow's Birdcatcher Nursery is not normally a race associated with the Oxx team but victory for Karamaya as well tomorrow could take the Curragh trainer to within the €1.2 million mark for prize-money in Ireland this season.
Karamaya won her Curragh debut over six furlongs by a nose from Gathering Power and looked to be used as a pacemaker for her stable companion Hasariya in the Moyglare over seven where she ended up being beaten only half a dozen lengths.
Back to six furlongs now, and raced a little more conservatively, the Aga Khan-owned filly can defy a big weight.
Subsequent Group One winners like Footstepsinthesand, Rose Gypsy and Emulous have won on this Naas card in the past and it will be interesting to see how Moth improves from her Navan debut in the opener.
Should Chyrsanthemum line up for today's Navigation Stakes she could face a big ask against the smart dual-purpose performer Rock Critic while Madeira Girl won so well at the Curragh last weekend she can defy a 10lb hike in the fillies handicap.
Last Time D'albain was denied a run during the week when Punchestown was called off but Ruby Walsh stays on for tomorrow's Christmas Day Handicap Raceday December 9th Hurdle at Cork's National Hunt card.
