Salisbury preview: Dean Ivory sweet on Eirene as progressive filly tackles Dick Poole
By Racing TV
Last Updated: Tue 5 Dec 2023
Watch how Eirene won impressively last time and read the views of connections before the Group Three Bathwick Tyres Dick Poole Fillies' Stakes at Salisbury on Thursday
By Racinguk.com staff
Dean Ivory is hoping Eirene can take the step up to Group company in her stride when she tackles the Bathwick Tyres Dick Poole Fillies' Stakes at Salisbury on Thursday.
The daughter of Declaration Of War got off the mark at the second time of asking in a novice contest at Doncaster before running into subsequent Gimcrack scorer Sands Of Mali on her next start.
Eirene then took a Listed race at Newbury with some authority, and Ivory is hopeful of another bold showing from his filly.
He said: "The form of her run behind Sands Of Mali looks good as he's since gone and won the Gimcrack very nicely.
"She won her Listed race well and if I didn't think she was up to this class, I wouldn't be running her."
Robert Winston has been aboard Eirene on all of her four outings to date, but he is suspended so Ivory has called upon the services of Adam Kirby for the six-furlong Group Three.
The Radlett handler said: "Although Adam hasn't ridden her yet, he's available and he's a good jockey.
"We're hoping for a big run, but there are a lot of runners and we will need some luck in running."
Andrew Balding saddles Crossing The Line, the only horse in the field to boast a 100 per cent record after she showed a determined attitude when winning on her debut at Newmarket last month.
The horse she beat that day was the Sir Michael Stoute-trained Gabr, who has since run a creditable second to Dream Today at York in what looked an above-average maiden.
Balding said: "We really like her. She has always gone nicely at home and we think she is fairly versatile ground-wise.
"The draw isn't ideal and there are more experienced rivals in the field.
"It's a big step up from her debut but we're hoping she's up to it."
Special Purpose is bidding to get back to winning ways after finishing a very respectable fifth behind Threading in the Lowther at York's Ebor meeting.
She had been unbeaten in two starts prior to that, including when giving weight and a beating to subsequent winner Gold Stone at Beverley.
Her trainer William Haggas said: "She's in good form and came out of her last race well where I thought she ran OK.
"She wasn't beaten far but I'm sure she wants quick ground so any more rain and we could be in trouble."
Haggas is also represented by One Minute, the mount of Ryan Moore, who is looking to bounce back after a disappointing run behind Eirene at Newbury.
He said: "She ran very poorly last time and I don't really know why, she just never travelled.
"She won't mind a bit of cut in the ground and we're hoping for a better performance this time round."
Mark Johnston sends Izzy Bizu down from Middleham, while Owen Burrows' Oriental Song also features among the 15-strong field.
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