Ed Dunlop remains keen on a trip to Royal Ascot with Snow Fairy after the mare came through a racecourse gallop at Sandown on Thursday with flying colours.
The six-time Group One-winner has not been seen in competitive action since her exhilarating victory in the Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown last September, but continues to please her trainer in her preparations for a fifth campaign in training.
Dunlop is in no rush to commit his charge to the Prince Of Wales’s Stakes at Ascot on June 19, with the Pretty Polly Stakes at the Curragh at the end of the month a viable alternative if she is not ready to roll for the Royal meeting.
“She’s absolutely fine this morning and we were very pleased with how it went,” Dunlop said.
“She worked over a mile with her usual lead horse, Swift Gift. Ryan Moore rode Snow Fairy and Swift Gift was partnered by her normal rider and everything went according to plan.
“We haven’t made a decision (on Royal Ascot) yet. We want to wait another week and it will be a late call.
“She has the option of a Group One against fillies and mares, the Pretty Polly Stakes at the Curragh, which is 11 days after the Ascot race, so that is in the back of our minds.
“I would like to do it (go to Ascot), but we want to be very happy with her and she will tell us whether she’s ready.”
