Hills Targets Diadem Spoils

Barry Hills is relying on the two-pronged attack of Etlaala and Moss Vale after withdrawing La Cucaracha from the totepool Diadem Stakes at Newmarket on Sunday.

La Cucaracha would have had to carry a 6lb penalty for her success in the Nunthorpe Stakes at York last month and may now be aimed at the Hong Kong Sprint.

The filly was runner-up to Goodricke in the William Hill Sprint cup at Haydock three weeks ago when Etlaala was a creditable sixth.

'Etlaala wouldn´t want it too soft, but that rarely happens at Newmarket so hopefully the ground will be alright for him,' said Angus Gold, racing manager to owner Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum.

'He´s performed consistently all season. He looked like going really close at Haydock but didn´t quite go through with it.

'Perhaps we were too hard on him earlier in the season or maybe the horses ahead of him were simply a little better.

'It would be nice to get a big-race win on the board before the end of the year.

'Nothing´s written in stone but he might stay in training next year.'

Moss Vale, who dead-heated with another of Sunday´s rivals Ashdown Express in a Listed race at Goodwood two weeks ago, has been trimmed to 7-1 from 8s with William Hill, while Etlaala is second favourite at 4-1.

Avonbridge is market leader at 100-30 to bounce back to form after being unplaced in the Nunthorpe.

The five-year-old was found to have scoped badly after finishing seventh to La Cucaracha but is now reported to be in fine shape.

'He is a very adaptable horse and while he may appreciate the return to six furlongs, he is equally at home over five,' said trainer Roger Charlton, who also had the option of running Patavellian.

'He is very well, he would not be running otherwise.

'There is nothing wrong with Patavellian whatsoever, it´s just that we had him entered in the Diadem in case Avonbridge did not run.'

Avonbridge won the Palace House Stakes over five furlongs on the Rowley Mile in the spring and was runner-up to Pastoral Pursuits in the July Cup.

David Chapman is hoping Quito has retained his form and can put up a good show.

'He still seems in the same fettle. He may just have gone off a little bit. He had three or four races in very quick succession when we perhaps got a bit greedy.

'He usually runs well at Newmarket, the ground should be right for him and the draw (nine) is OK.

'We´ll try to have him handier than usual especially if they go a good gallop. They´re not selling platers!'

(C) PA Sport