Abbakova bidding for Listed honours

Willie McCreery is confident course and distance winner Abbakova will prove difficult to beat when she chases Listed honours in Saturday's Danehill Dancer Tipperary Stakes.

After finishing behind three smart Aidan O'Brien inmates in Stubbs, Coach House and Bye Bye Birdie on her first three starts, Abbakova deservedly got off the mark when showing smart pace to win decisively at Tipperary late last month.

Having already finished third at Listed level, McCreery hopes to see his two-year-old filly go a couple of places better this weekend.

The trainer said: "She won well at the track the last day in similar conditions. It was a good time and the times don't lie. She's a very relaxed filly and getting stronger all the time, so we're looking forward to running her again."

McCreery also saddles Hurryupharriet in the same race, but feels she has her work cut out as she aims to shed her maiden tag at the third attempt.

He said: "She's an out-and-out five-furlong filly and there weren't really any other races coming up for her. I don't know if she's up to this level, but we'll take a punt."

County Cork handler John Joseph Murphy has three challengers, saddling Dimity Touch Of Snow and Queen Of Norway

Dimity was just behind Abbakova at Cork last month and renews rivalries, while Touch Of Snow ran a career-best at Naas on Wednesday and Queen Of Norway was well beaten on her debut after fluffing her lines at the start.

Murphy said: "Dimity ran a cracker the last day and must go to Tipperary with every chance. The quicker ground will be right up her street and I hope she'll run a very big race.

"Touch Of Snow only ran a few days ago, but I thought this might be a good opportunity to get some black type. She's a bit lazy and needs a bit of driving, but the penny is starting to drop.

"Queen Of Norway got left in the stalls on her first run after getting a bit excited and missed the break, but she's a filly with a lot of talent. If she behaves herself at the start and breaks well, I think she has every chance as well."

The six-runner field is completed by the Ken Condon-trained Sacred Aspect 12th in the Albany at Royal Ascot.