Chasing the aim with Eyecatcher Roger McGrath has a "long-term aim" of chasing with his progressive mare Miss Eyecatcher. The six-year-old won her three bumpers before starting off over obstacles in a Grade Three novice hurdle at Down Royal in November won by the smart Airlie Beach, who has gone on to lift Grade One honours. Her most recent effort saw her far from disgraced when third to dual Flat Listed-race winner Toe The Line in a maiden hurdle at Leopardstown last Sunday. McGrath said: "I was happy with her run. She ran to her best and just met two too good. Toe The line was very good on the ground and she just has that bit of class. We will look for another mares' maiden hurdle for her, and see from there. "She just wasn't herself before Christmas. She had a poor scope, and while she wasn't very sick, she just wasn't the picture of health. I think she was back to full health at the weekend. "She likes a strong gallop, too. She doesn't have to front run, but she might have to put on the strong pace herself sometimes. "There seems to be a high quality of novice mares in Ireland at the moment. The novice season runs from February to December so she might have a chance of black type in the autumn before she goes chasing. "She has schooled plenty over fences and that is her long-term aim."
