Mulvany hopeful

MICHAEL MULVANY hopes Tough As Nails will soon enjoy his day in the sun following another fine effort in defeat in the Railway Stakes at the Curragh.

The Dark Angel colt bolted up in a Tipperary maiden before going down by just a short head to subsequent Royal Ascot winner Power in a Listed event.

Stepped up to Group Two company at the weekend, the youngster found only British raider Lilbourne Lad too strong.

Mulvany is now considering giving Tough As Nails a chance at the highest level in the Phoenix Stakes back at the Curragh in August.

“They came together a bit in the last furlong, but I wouldn’t be making any excuses,” said the Co Meath handler.

“The best horse won on the day and it wouldn’t have been fair for them to take it off the winner in the stewards’ room.

“We would have loved to have seen a bit more rain. I certainly don’t think he’s a mudlark, but he just handles the softer ground better than others.

“It was good to firm when he just got beaten by Power and it was good ground on Sunday, so he doesn’t really need soft ground.

“We have him in the Phoenix Stakes and I think that would be on the agenda.

“I’d like to think he’ll stay seven furlongs. You never really know until you run as you never work two-year-olds over that far, but he’s laid-back in his work and I think we could ride him a bit differently when we step him up in trip Hopefully he’ll get his turn.”