Pat Smullen© Photo Healy Racing
Martyn Meade has high hopes for Irish Rookie today as she heads to the Curragh for the Lanwades Stud Stakes.
While the Azamour filly did not get her head in front last season, she ran with great credit on several occasions.
Her most notable effort came when she was second to the classy Ervedya in the French 1000 Guineas.
Not disgraced behind Andre Fabre's Usherette on her comeback over an extended nine furlongs, she drops back down to a mile for this Group Two.
"I'm very pleased with her," said Meade.
"It was an experiment with the trip last time and I think we can say she didn't quite stay, so we'll stick to a mile from now on.
"She came out of that run well and I've got high hopes for her this weekend.
"The ground is on the good side, I've had someone walk it, but there is rain forecast. That's good as we want as much as possible really, she does like cut.
"As for Ascot, I don't think she's ever going to really be an Ascot horse because of her need for a bit of cut. It's very rarely soft for the Royal meeting these days.
"She'll have options in France and we won't be afraid to travel with her.
"I was a bit surprised to see Lucida declared as I was under the impression she was going straight to Ascot, but she hasn't run for a while and we have the benefit of a run under our belts.
"She's travelled over well and settled in nicely, we've also got some young lad called (Pat) Smullen on board, who I think knows his way around the Curragh!"
On form her biggest test will come from Jim Bolger's Lucida, but she is having her first run since the Falmouth last July. Before that she had finished second in the 1000 Guineas and third in the Coronation Stakes.
She is owned by Godolphin, who are also represented by Willie McCreery's Devonshire
"Lucida is just having her first run back and we are obviously working towards Royal Ascot with her," said Godolphin's John Ferguson.
"Jim wasn't sure a few weeks ago if she'd have to head straight there, but if he thinks this is the right thing to do, he's a master of his craft so we're not going to hold him back.
"Devonshire has had a run so will be fit. She should be working towards her A-game now."
Qatar Racing and Ger Lyons run both Ainippe and Queen Catrine Aidan O'Brien fields Fluff ,while David Wachman's Hint Of A Tint completes the field.
