Barrett hoping for a big run from Annie Trainer James Barrett has resisted the temptation of a handicap to try Always Annie in Wednesday's Irish Stallion Farms EBF Hurry Harriet Stakes at Gowran Park. This extended nine-furlong Listed event represents a considerable test for the twice-raced filly, but she does have a course and distance maiden victory under her belt from last month. "I had done very little with her before her first run at Limerick and, to be honest, her work has improved so much," the Thurles trainer said. "This is tough, no doubt, but she has always looked like a smart filly and I think she's capable of running a big race. "She got a handicap mark of 83, and I think she's better than that, but sometimes handicaps can be rough races and we thought we would try her here. "She has a good draw (stall one) and we'll see how she gets on." Barrett's career has been in a few stages, and he is perhaps best known for winning the 2008 Pierse Hurdle with Barker, the grey who went on to Grade One honours over fences with Willie Mullins. He said: "I was in England as an assistant to Charlie Mann but I had my licence up until 2008 myself. "I then spent some time as assistant to Jim Bolger, but I've been back training for a couple of years again. "I've got 12 or 13 riding out, mostly Flat horses, and we've had four individual winners so things are going well. "I could have a few more horses, but if they are no good, I don't keep them." Always Annie faces a trio of Aidan O'Brien horses in Hanky Panky, the recently Group Two-placed Say and Snow Queen, who has rather gone backwards since finishing fifth in the 1000 Guineas. Johnny Murtagh's Belle De Crecy is on a hat-trick after maiden and handicap wins, while Aloof, Along Came Casey and the unbeaten Sinaniya set a solid standard in the 11-strong field.
