Jamesie© Photo Healy Racing
Jamesie bids to rediscover his old form and repeat last year's victory in the Gerrardstown House Stud Supporting Breast Cancer Research Renaissance Stakes at the Curragh on Saturday.
David Marnane 's seven-year-old gelding landed the six-furlong prize 12 months ago after mastering triple Group One scorer Gordon Lord Byron in what was to be his sole victory of the season.
Although yet to show the same level of form heading into this year's renewal of the Group Three contest, Marnane was encouraged by his sixth in the Listed Abergwaun Stakes over the minimum trip at Tipperary earlier this month on his first start since May.
He said: "We have tried him in the blinkers again as he just got a little bit lazy at home.
"We made the mistake of keeping him going after Dubai as we thought there was a chance of going to Singapore, but that didn't materialise and I felt then he had been in training too long without having a break.
"We gave him a little break and he had a couple of ordinary runs, then he came back the other day at Tipperary. It was an encouraging run. He travelled very well, but he would have needed it.
"Nobody really got into the race, while he is not a five-furlong horse. I was happy enough with the run, though, as I felt he moved a lot better with the blinkers on.
"This is the race he won last year, claiming the notable scalp of Gordon Lord Byron. He is a good, solid, tough horse, but not quite a Group One performer. He owes us nothing as we have enjoyed a lot of fun over the years, but he seems to be training well and is in great form."
Tom Hogan reports multiple Group One winner Gordon Lord Byron to be in excellent order ahead of his attempt to reverse placings with Jamesie.
While he has just a win in the Listed Dash Stakes at the Curragh to his name this season, the seven-year-old has held his form well, running some creditable efforts in defeat including last time out when finishing a close-up third in the Prix Maurice de Gheest at Deauville.
Hogan said: "He couldn't be better. He had a leg stretch on the Curragh on Tuesday morning and he's in great form.
"He ran a good race in France and he's in top form so there is no point in having him looking out over the stable door, we may as well run." Letters Of Note will attempt to take the next step up the sprinting ladder having claimed the Listed Yeomanstown Stud EBF Dark Angel Stakes at Naas on her most recent start.
The three-year-old is one of two runners in the race for trainer Michael O'Callaghan. The Lumville handler will also be represented by Rapid Applause who will be making his first start over the trip in almost a year.
He said: "Letters Of Note is in great form. She's really turned the corner. She's got a lot of confidence since her last run and she knows she's a sprinter. She's on fire at home and is in great order."
