Fast ground to suit Hitchens David Barron believes conditions should be ideal for Hitchens as he bids to confirm the form of his excellent third in the July Cup in Sunday's Patrick P. O'Leary Memorial Phoenix Sprint at the Curragh. The six-year-old has plenty going for him as he makes the journey from Yorkshire, having won over course and distance earlier in the campaign. He disappointed in a soft-ground Golden Jubilee at Royal Ascot but bounced right back to his best on a sounder surface when beaten just a couple of lengths by Dream Ahead on his latest start. "He's had a good time of it this year and the ground over there is pretty fast I understand, so obviously that suits," said Barron. "He ran a cracker at Newmarket and he's been in good order since. He's very genuine and whenever you get the fast ground for him, he's going to run a race." Another British raider with leading claims is James Fanshawe's Deacon Blues who won the Wokingham at the Royal meeting before following up in a Newbury Group Three. Fanshawe said: "He had the choice of going either here or for the Group One in France and we just felt this would be a more gradual stepping-stone for him. "I think the most important thing for him is that they get some rain in Ireland. "He really needs the ground to be good or slower really, but he's come out of his last race in good form and it's great Johnny (Murtagh) can ride him." A strong British challenge also includes Norville and Winker Watson, while Arctic and Six Of Hearts are a couple of the more interesting home runners.
