Martin aims trio at Petingo

Tony Martin fires three arrows at the big pot for the Irish Stallion Farms EBF 'Petingo' Handicap at Leopardstown on Saturday.

A competitive field of 16 runners go to post for the 150,000-euro event and Martin is hopeful of the chances of his trio.

Cassells Rock bids for a hat-trick following his success at Bellewstown over hurdles and returns to the Dublin track having been successful on his previous visit there.

"He won well the last day in Leopardstown and has won his hurdle since. He's in good form and we're happy with him," said Martin.

"He deserves to take his chance and we're hoping he'll give a good account of himself."

Spacious Sky just failed to peg back the front two in a decent two-mile contest at York and Martin is hoping a short break since then will aid his chances.

"He ran third in York and arrived there to challenge, but just didn't get home. He was possibly feeling the exertions of the two runs in Galway just a fortnight previous.

"We've freshened him up since and we think he's well. He deserves to take his chance as he's been running consistently in races like that."

Redera didn't make much impression on his last outing, over hurdles at Killarney, but Martin has been pleased with him since and feels he is capable of a big show.

"He ran very well on the Flat at Killarney on his first run back but in the hurdle race there since things just didn't go his way.

"We've been very happy with his training and he seems in good form so he deserves his chance. He ran third last year in the big amateur race at Galway and has run well in the past at Leopardstown."

Galway Hurdle runner-up Bayan was also a winner on his previous visit to Leopardstown when recording a cosy victory over the mile-and-six-furlong trip in July. Trainer Gordon Elliott reports him in flying form but has a slight concern over his wide draw in 15.

He said: "He seems in great old form and we're very happy with him. He's a course and distance winner but he has a bad draw so we're hoping he'll overcome that. We're looking forward to it and it's serious money on offer."

The improving Winter Lion comes into the race off the back of wins at Galway and Killarney, and trainer Denis Hogan is looking forward to testing him at this level.

He said: "It's a big step up for him but he's in good form and we're hoping he runs well."

The Dermot Weld-trained Silwana looked a smart prospect when winning at Galway and appears a leading contender.

Aidan O'Brien also saddles three runners in the race, including an intriguing participant in Blue Hussar, who has not run since a disappointing effort in the Gallinule Stakes at the Curragh in May. The Montjeu colt had previously shaped with plenty of promise in the Lingfield Derby Trial when a staying-on fourth.