Mr Scarlet (stripped cap)© Photo Healy Racing
Sheila Lavery fears Mr Scarlet might just need the run in Thursday evening’s Ballycorus Stakes at Leopardstown.
The four-year-old had some top-class form to his name last season, with his best effort coming when fifth to Caravaggio in the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot.
In three subsequent runs, while he did manage to finish second to Intelligence Cross at Navan, he failed to come close to repeating his Ascot run.
The gelded son of Dandy Man makes his first appearance since finishing well beaten behind Queen Reflection at Naas in September in this seven-furlong Group Three.
“He just had a small problem after his run at Naas, which is why he hasn’t been out any earlier,” said Lavery.
“I’d love to have started him off in a lesser race but with his rating of 100 there wasn’t really anything there for him.
“He just might need this race having been off for such a long time. There are some nice races to be won with him, I’m sure of that.
“After Ascot he was too gassy at the Curragh, Pat (Smullen) wanted to ride him from the front and then at Naas it was soft ground which he didn’t like.
“It would have been lovely to have started him in a conditions race somewhere, but he’ll run here and we’ll see where we go.”
Ger Lyons runs two, Ardhoomey and Medicine Jack, while Aidan O’Brien saddles Full Moon and St Patrick’s Day.
Johnny Murtagh’s True Valour and Eddie Lynam’s Fas are the highest-rated runners in the race and Jim Bolger’s Smash Williams completes the field.
