McMahon keen on Flying Astro Ed McMahon is in bullish mood ahead of Astrophysical Jet's run in the Goffs Flying Five at the Curragh on Sunday. The three-year-old filly put up a career-best performance last time out when beaten less than a length by Borderlescott in the Group Two King George Stakes at Goodwood. McMahon harboured Classic ambitions for the youngster at the start of the campaign but now accepts she is an out-and-out sprinter. "She did nothing wrong at Goodwood, it was just unfortunate," he said. "In those races you have to make decisions in split seconds and Graham (Gibbons) decided to go for the rail while Borderlescott went up the middle of the track. "She was beaten three-quarters of a length and probably lost that in running. "She's a very nice filly and whatever beats her wins it, let me put it that way. "I didn't really want to step her up to Group One company this year. I've noticed when three-year-olds do that they tend to struggle the year after. "I feel if you overface good horses you can bottom them. I think when she's a four-year-old she'll be a force to be reckoned with. "I started out aiming for the Fred Darling, but Graham kept on telling me how much speed she had and I've finally relented. She's a sprinter." Ralph Beckett's Tropical Treat was not far behind Astrophysical Jet at Goodwood, keeping on well at the finish to grab sixth. "She ran a good race at Goodwood and wasn't beaten far, despite being stopped in her run" said Beckett. "The Curragh's five furlongs will be right up her street and they haven't had any rain, so that will suit really well. "She's certainly up to running in this class and we think she's improving all the time." The Group Three contest has been the subject of a British invasion, with no less than 11 of the 16 declared runners crossing the Irish Sea. The likes of Kevin Ryan's Benbaun and the Dandy Nicholls-trained Tax Free are regulars in these events, while Triple Aspect and Blue Jack are other interesting contenders.
