Champion jockey-elect Smullen eyes Chevely upset on Anthem Alexander

Top filly set to renew rivalry with Tiggy Wiggy in Group One renewal

Pat Smullen: attempts to add a top-rank pattern success to a rewarding season. Photograph: Ryan Byrne
Pat Smullen: attempts to add a top-rank pattern success to a rewarding season. Photograph: Ryan Byrne

Pat Smullen will aim to put a Group One sheen on an already hugely-successful 2014 when Ireland's champion jockey-elect travels to Newmarket today for a Red Mills Cheveley Park Stakes showdown with Tiggy Wiggy aboard Anthem Alexander.

It will be the third clash between the fillies with the score at 1-1 after Tiggy Wiggy reversed her Queen Mary defeat in style in last month’s Lowther at York. Both juvenile stars hold entries in next Sunday’s Prix de l’Abbaye at Longchamp but the focus is resolutely on what is traditionally Britain’s most prestigious contest for two-year-old fillies.

Anthem Alexander came up a couple of lengths short of her old rival in the Lowther and didn’t look to have any notable excuse. But she does have the plus of again teaming up with her bang-in-form jockey.

Eddie Lynam is having a vintage Group One campaign with four victories already but Anthem Alexander's trainer concedes: "With Tiggy Wiggy in the race it is going to be difficult."

READ MORE

Today's home action at Navan sees Darwins Fox tackle 2½ miles for the first time over fences in a €20,000 conditions chase. The forecast quick ground can help Henry De Bromhead's eight-year-old while Benemeade's experience can trump Rawnaq in the Beginners Chase.

Brian O'Connor

Brian O'Connor

Brian O'Connor is the racing correspondent of The Irish Times. He also writes the Tipping Point column