Airlie Beach camp eye Down Royal Connections of Airlie Beach are considering the next plan of attack following another impressive display from the unbeaten mare at Galway last week. The daughter of Shantou made a big impression when making a winning debut at Kilbeggan in August of last year and while that proved to be her only start of 2015, she has appeared intent on making up for lost time this summer. After making a successful return at the Co Westmeath circuit in July, Willie Mullins' charge completed a course hat-trick a couple of weeks later before dominating from the front at Ballybrit. A step up in class beckons, with a Grade Three event at Down Royal in late October - a race owners the Supreme Horseracing Club won with Listen Dear last year - a likely objective. Racing manager Steve Massey said: "She is becoming a real star for the club. "After her wins at Kilbeggan, it was a step up in class for her at Galway against another smart mare of Willie's (Retour En France) but she was really impressive. "There's a race coming up for her at Gowran Park, but we might wait until the Down Royal race at the end of October. As always, we'll leave it up to Willie. "Although she's only raced during the summer so far, the plan is to keep her going through the winter as being by Shantou, we don't think she'll have any problem handling softer ground." Airlie Beach is just one of a number of smart mares the syndicate has to go to war with this season. Listen Dear made a winning return from a lengthy absence at Down Royal in June and is set for an imminent debut over fences. Daring Carlotta, the winner of three bumpers, has not been seen since finishing third in a Listed event at Cheltenham almost two years ago, but is reported to be in rude health. Massey said: "She is back with Willie and she's in very good shape. "Not many mares win three bumpers and she ran really well behind subsequent Grade One winner Bitofapuzzle in her fourth at Cheltenham. "If we can keep her in one piece, she'll go straight over hurdles later this year. "She has schooled already and jumps really well."
