Aussie Valentine back for more Paul Deegan believes Aussie Valentine is well worth another crack at Listed level in the TRI Equestrian Silver Flash Stakes at the Curragh on Sunday. Narrowly beaten in the Irish Lincolnshire first time out this season, he then made no mistake in a decent race at Leopardstown. Stepped up in grade for the Alleged Stakes over 10 furlongs soon after, he trailed in last of eight, but there were extenuating circumstances. "He suffered a cut just below his knee last time out. It was nothing serious, but enough to forgive him his run," said Deegan. "He actually came out of race fine, though, so he wasn't held up much. He's in good form now and I'm happy with him. "I think he's up to this level, even though he's got a bit to find on the figures, but we are hoping for more rain. If it dried out there's a chance we might not run him as he needs to get his toe in. "That was part of the problem last time - it had dried out a lot and he didn't enjoy coming down the hill. He's a big horse and still a bit immature, if anything." The highest rated horse is Jim Bolger's Parish Hall, fifth in the Tattersalls Gold Cup just two weeks ago. Ger Lyons has reached for the blinkers with Chopin, who has just his second run for the yard since his arrival from Germany. Ed Dunlop runs Manndawi, second in a Group One to Flintshire as a youngster but not seen for over 600 days. The Newmarket handler told his website: "Manndawi has been off the track an awful long time but his three-year-old form is superb, with him filling the runner-up spot behind Flintshire in the Grand Prix de Paris. "A mile and a quarter will be on the sharp side for him, but we couldn't run him in the Festival Stakes or the Brigadier Gerard on account of the fast ground, and it looks like they will have a beautiful racing surface in Ireland at the weekend. "Hopefully this can provide a stepping stone for the rest of the season."
