Elleval bidding for Meld honours David Marnane hopes the Meld Stakes does not come too soon for stable star Elleval at Leopardstown on Thursday evening. The Meydan veteran has won over E500,000 in prize money but this will be the first time he has run three consecutive races in Ireland for two years. After disappointing runs at York and the Curragh earlier this season, he bounced back to form when a close fourth in a valuable handicap last week and steps back up in class. "I don't think Navan really suited him as it's a bit up and down and has a long straight," said Marnane. "That race had been moved from Leopardstown which I know he really likes as he was second to Free Eagle and The United States in the same Group Three two years in a row. "Leopardstown is a bit like Meydan, which we know he loves. "I thought that was basically his first competitive race of the season last week as he didn't get involved in his first two. "It might be coming a bit quick, but he has backed up before and run well so I'm hoping he'll do so again. "It's a tough race but the horses are running well." Dermot Weld, who won the race three years in a row with Famous Name, runs the filly Carla Bianca, beaten by Irish Oaks hopeful Words last time out. Aidan O'Brien is represented by Battle Of Marathon while David Wachman's Queen Nefertiti also runs for the Coolmore team. Ger Lyons is double-handed with Brendan Bracken, who will be having his first run for new connections, and Piri Wango.
