Rockaway Valley © Photo Healy Racing
Richard Hannon admits he is "taking a chance" with Log Out Island as the talented juvenile turns out just nine days after a narrow Royal Ascot reverse in today's GAIN Railway Stakes at the Curragh.
The Dark Angel colt made a big impression when making a successful debut over the minimum distance at Ascot in late April, a victory which prompted the powerhouse Godolphin team to snap him up prior to last week's Norfolk Stakes.
He managed to get the better of well-touted stable companion King Of Rooks, but found Aidan O'Brien's Irish challenger Waterloo Bridge too strong under an inspired Ryan Moore.
Log Out Island steps up to six furlongs for this weekend's Group Two and Britain's champion trainer is looking forward to seeing how he fares.
Hannon said: "It looks a good opportunity for him at Group Two level, so we decided we'd let him take his chance.
"It does come up quite quick, but he's only really had the one race in his life and I really want to see him run over six furlongs.
"We are taking a chance with him slightly and hopefully it doesn't come too quick, but if it does we can give him a break and bring him back for the Winkfield Stakes at Ascot at the end of July."
Log Out Island is the only British challenger in a five-strong field, with Aidan O'Brien, who has trained 11 previous Railway Stakes winners including the likes of Rock Of Gibraltar (2001) and George Washington (2005), relying on recent Leopardstown winner Painted Cliffs Rockaway Valley has major claims for Jessica Harrington.
The son of Holy Roman Emperor found only subsequent Coventry Stakes runner-up Air Force Blue too strong on debut and comfortably went one better over the course and distance three weeks ago.
Harrington said: "We knew he was pretty smart the first day but the penny just didn't drop, but the second day he was really professional.
"Saturday's race is a really good renewal and they are all hard to win, but I hope he has improved a bit.
"He is a very laid back horse which is brilliant because he only does what he has to do at home.
"I'm not too worried about the ground. It was pretty quick when he won there the last day and he's a good-moving horse.
"It's a step up for him, but he deserves it and we'll see how we get on."
Dual Naas winner Argentero represents Ger Lyons and Jim Bolger's maiden Saafarr completes the line-up.
