Willie McCreery backs Abamanova to shine at Fairyhouse

Willie McCreery is keeping his fingers crossed Abamanova can continue her progression in the Ballyhane Blenheim Stakes at Fairyhouse on Wednesday.

The daughter of Camacho was third on her racecourse debut at the Curragh in the middle of last month and showed the benefit of that experience when bolting up at Bellewstown a few weeks later.

She tests the water at Listed level in County Meath, but McCreery is expecting a bold show if she can overcome her wide draw.

"I hope the ground doesn't get much softer and we don't have a great draw," said the trainer.

"Other than that, though, we're happy. The filly is in good form, we're looking forward to running her and we're hoping for a big run.

"The step up to six furlongs should suit. She's a pretty relaxed filly and from where she's drawn we'll probably have to settle her in behind. There's no point having to race four wide."

Abamanova features in a nine-strong field, with Aidan O'Brien's dual Curragh scorer Fleet Review clear of his rivals on official ratings.

Other contenders include Jessica Harrington's experienced gelding Brick By Brick and the Ger Lyons-trained Gobi Desert, who won on his introduction at the Curragh a month ago.

Harrington said of the former: "I'm hoping for a big run with him. He's got a nice draw.

"He's getting stronger as the year goes on, so I hope he runs a nice race."