KEVIN PRENDERGAST’S high-class filly Shimah could return to action at Fairyhouse on Sunday provided she comes out of season in time.
The Storm Cat filly hasn’t been seen since finishing down the field in the Newmarket 1,000 Guineas but she was among 25 entries left in the Listed Belgrave Stakes at yesterday’s forfeit stage. Prendergast won the six furlong event two years ago with another Sheikh Hamdan-owned horse in Haatef but after entering Shimah yesterday she suddenly showed in season.
“It does affect her. She gets quite listless but if she comes out of it in time she could run. She’s a possible,” he said.
“She had never encountered ground as fast as it was at Newmarket and she was a little feely after it. It was very firm. Most of her family prefer a little ease,” Prendergast added.
Ground conditions at Fairyhouse are currently yielding to soft but the Belgrave looks like being another Irish target for the Yorkshire trainer Dandy Nicholls.
He has four options for the race including Inxile who has won twice at Naas already this season, as well as Tax Free and Masta Plasta. Sunday’s Minstrel Stakes winner Three Rocks is another possible runner in the race, as is Snaefell.
Sunday’s Tipperary feature is the Grade Three Kevin McManus Grimes Hurdle and the Edward O’Grady-trained Jumbo Rio is among the 10 entries remaining. Also engaged in the race are Zarinava and the former Galway Hurdle winner Cuan Na Grai.
