La Petite Coco to be freshened up for Ascot

Paddy Twomey is looking forward to running La Petite Coco in the Qipco British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes at Ascot on October 15 following her close-up fourth in the Blandford Stakes on Sunday.

The five-time scorer started her campaign with a victory over 10 furlongs in the Pretty Polly Stakes at the Curragh before stepping up to a mile and a half for a red-hot renewal of the Yorkshire Oaks during the Ebor Festival.

She was a gallant third in that Knavesmire Group One won by Alpinista and was sent off the evens favourite for her return to home soil and a drop back to 10 furlongs last weekend at the Curragh.

However, despite running with her usual zest in the early stages, she was headed a furlong from home and beaten less than two lengths in third behind Above The Curve.

Twomey believes the outing may have come too quickly after the four-year-old’s trip to York and is now preparing to freshen up the daughter of Ruler Of The World for a tilt at the 12-furlong Group One on British Champions Day.

“She just appeared a little bit flat,” said Twomey. “Before the race when I was saddling her and during the race she just looked flat and it might have come a bit soon after her run on ground faster than she would have liked in the Yorkshire Oaks.

“It was a very good Yorkshire Oaks and it might have just taken its toll on her on Sunday.

“The mile-and-a-half fillies’ and mares’ race at Ascot is her target and she should be well freshened up by then and we are looking forward to running in it. She’ll enjoy a bit of cut and going a mile and a half.”

Twomey also expressed his delight at Beamish’s performance in Leopardstown’s Paddy Power Stakes on Saturday, when the four-year-old was denied by a neck in a thrilling finish to the 12-furlong Group Three contest. He could now put his stamina to the test at ParisLongchamp on Arc weekend.

“He’s a lovely horse and it was only the fifth run of his life,” said Twomey.

“He’s as brave as a lion and I think he should do well this autumn on soft ground — he runs well on soft ground. Something like the Prix du Cadran in Paris at the beginning of next month might suit him.”