Astaire Ascot-Bound

Angie Bailey’s 2013 G1 Middle Park S. winner Astaire (Ire) (Intense Focus) is likely to skip the May 23 G3 Greenlands S. at The Curragh and head straight to Royal Ascot after finishing sixth, beaten a length, in the G2 Duke of York Clipper Logistics S. at York May 13. Astaire was having his third run of the season at York, having won the G3 Abernant S. at Newmarket Apr. 16. 

“Paul Hanagan’s horse [Muthmir] ran very free and they went very quick,” Astaire’s trainer, Kevin Ryan, told At The Races. “He’s the sort of horse who likes to quicken at the two [furlong marker] and likes horses coming at him and chasing him down. I don’t think the race was run to suit him but he still ran very creditably and I’m very happy with him. I’d say we’ll wait until Royal Ascot now.”