Ballybacka Queen, right © Photo Healy Racing
Pat Fahy feels Ballybacka Queen has a golden opportunity to clinch a career-best victory in the Lancashire Oaks at Haydock on Saturday.
The daughter of Hurricane Run has been placed at Group Three and Listed level and the County Carlow trainer has high hopes the four-year-old can deliver in this Group Two contest.
Ballybacka Queen has been in good form this season, winning two of her last three starts, the latest success coming in the Cork Derby three weeks ago.
"I'm happy enough she will run well. The ground is changing in her favour and if they get more thundery showers, that will help her as well," said the Co Carlow trainer.
"She arrives there in the best of her health and I think she will run a big race.
"It's a great opportunity to get some black type. At least she doesn't have to give a stone in weight to top three-year-olds, so it's a great chance for her to get a Group Two under her belt.
"She's won on heavy, she's won on good to firm and she seems to be in good form."
Miss Marjurie bids to add a Group Two triumph to her growing list of achievements having won a Listed and a Group Three race in two starts this term.
The five-year-old's latest success came in the Pinnacle Stakes over the course and distance five weeks ago when she had several of these rivals in her wake.
"We always knew she was a good filly. She didn't get luck in running last year, so we're not surprised by what she's done," trainer Denis Coakley said.
"She should run as well as she ran at Haydock last time - if that's good enough, we'll have to wait and see. She seems in good form and unless some of the others improve, she should be right there."
Lady Tiana was beaten two and a half lengths by Miss Marjurie over the course and distance but trainer Lucy Wadham deemed her horse unlucky and goes back to Merseyside in a positive frame of mind.
"I don't think it looks any stronger a race and I think we were very unlucky last time," said the Newmarket handler.
"She got no run but was third under a very tender ride and of course we've now had the rain, so we go there feeling pretty optimistic.
"She was pretty fit last time and didn't really have the opportunity to have a race. She's fresh and well and ready to go."
Cheveley Park Stud are doubly-represented with the John Gosden-trained Criteria and Queen Of Ice from William Haggas' stable.
While the rain could affect the chances of the two horses to varying degrees, the pair have performed well in this type of race in the past.
However, they were both put firmly in their place by Miss Marjurie over the course and distance in the Pinnacle Stakes, with Criteria finishing fifth and Queen Of Ice 10th.
"The ground might be a factor, but at the moment that has been their target and they are reunited," said Cheveley Park's managing director Chris Richardson.
