Petticoat up in class for G3 Fairy Bridge Stakes

Four-year-old filly Petticoat steps up to G3 level for the first time in the Fairy Bridge Stakes over seven and a half furlongs at Tipperary, Ireland, on Thursday, 30 August.

The daughter of Cape Cross, who is trained by Michael Halford, drops down slightly in trip following two Listed appearances over a mile at Killarney, most recently when coming home fourth behind I Can Fly in the Vincent O’Brien Ruby Stakes on 22 August.

She trailed home last after missing the break over the same course and distance in the Cairn Rouge Stakes on 15 July – a race in which she finished third in 2017 – but had previously stayed on strongly to take a seven-furlong premier handicap at the Curragh on 30 June.

Petticoat, the mount of Ronan Whelan, faces 12 rivals including Could It Be Love, Yulong Gold Fairy and Lightening Quick, who were second, fifth and sixth in the Irish 1,000 Guineas, plus I Can Fly.

Michael Halford commented: “Petticoat came out of her recent run at Killarney well and is in great form at the moment.

“Things didn’t quite go to plan last time out – she was a little bit keen early on – and we feel that she is capable of improving on that effort.

“She is in good order and we are hoping to pick up some Black Type.”