Settle For Bay© Photo Healy Racing
David Marnane is playing a patient game with the sidelined Settle For Bay, and has an eye on returning to Dubai for the Carnival next winter.
The smart Rio De La Plata gelding had two runs at Meydan during a spell in the Middle East, following his victory in the Hunt Cup at Royal Ascot in 2018.
But the five-year-old sustained an injury when attempting to repeat his victory in the big one-mile handicap at this summer’s Royal meeting.
“He picked up an injury during the race in Ascot,” said Tipperary trainer Marnane.
“At the moment he won’t run again this year in Ireland, but we'll re-monitor him here in a couple of weeks’ time.
"There’s a strong possibility he’ll go back to Dubai for the Carnival there. He’s obviously talented, but he’s a very difficult horse to keep sound."
Settle For Bay was not suited by conditions once the rain arrived at Ascot.
"On his second-last run, the race worked out really well — and when we went to Ascot the ground just turned on him," added Marnane.
"I know he is very good. He showed me that day at Leopardstown he was back to something near his best, but unfortunately at Ascot he picked up a little injury.
"Hopefully we’ll gear him towards Dubai. You never know, if we get there he might be a well-handicapped horse."
