Marnane targeting cross-channel prizes

David Marnane is targeting Freescape at the Listed 32Red Burradon Stakes at Newcastle on Good Friday.

The County Tipperary trainer is looking to head to Gosforth Park after the son of Cityscape returned in tip-top shape from a spell in Dubai.

"He had two runs over there. He ran in the trial and was third in the Meydan Classic itself when he came from a good way back," said Marnane.

"We brought him home. He's fit and he's well. He was in good nick coming off the plane so we decided we'd have another go.

"We're going to Newcastle, it's a big pot and he's rated in the mid-90s now

"He's a horse we like and we've pencilled him in for the Britannia at Royal Ascot, so we'll see how he gets on next week first.

"He's won on the all-weather surface at Dundalk. He did that really well so we're hoping he can put up a good show over there."

Marnane feels Settle For Bay could also develop into a contender for Royal Ascot this summer.

The four-year-old gelding enjoyed a prolific winter, winning four times at Dundalk from November to January.

"He's a nice horse and has won his last four on the bounce. He's just turned four and his target would be the Royal Hunt Cup," said Marnane.

"He won on his handicap debut last year and then picked up an injury. He's come back and has now gone up to a mark of 99. He looks very progressive and he looks an ideal type for the Hunt Cup.

"He's had a nice holiday since his last win and we're looking forward to him. He's done well during the winter.

"He'll get a run in May with a view to the Hunt Cup. He's on the right mark to get in. It's just a matter of getting him there now."

Marnane revealed Jamesie, one of his stable stalwarts for many years, has been retired and is being retrained.

The 10-year-old was second in the Buckingham Palace Stakes at the Royal meeting in 2012 but picked up an injury last summer.

"He was second and third early last year. We gave him a break, then he had one run and picked up a niggly injury - we just said that was enough for him, so we retired him," he said.

"He's being retrained from a racehorse to riding horse and they are aiming him at the Dublin Horse Show. I'm looking forward to seeing him.

"It's great to see them doing something because he wouldn't be a candidate for being out in the field.

"It's good he's got something to do and this scheme is very good for them."

Jamesie won eight of his 73 starts, placed 25 times and amassed 330,000 pounds in total prize money.