Third in the G1 Irish 1000 Guineas at The Curragh May 22 and fourth in the G1 Coronation S. at Royal Ascot June 17, Qatar Racing Limited's Now Or Never (Ire) (Bushranger {Ire}) drops in class for a winnable opportunity in Thursday's G3 Coolmore Stud Fairy Bridge S. at Tipperary. Trainer Michael O'Callaghan is using this as a prep for the G1 Coolmore Fastnet Rock Matron S. at Leopardstown Sept. 10 and said, “Now Or Never is in great form. She had a decent break after the Coronation at Ascot and we want to get a prep race into her before she goes to the Matron. The heavy ground is a bit of a worry, so we will walk the track tomorrow and see what condition it's in, but she's in great form.”
She is sure to be tested by the July 11 Listed Cairn Rouge S. winner Creggs Pipes (Ire) (Rip Van Winkle {Ire}), while at the other end of the experience spectrum is Ballylinch Stud's Lina de Vega (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}). Successful on her sole start over a mile at The Curragh July 16, she is pitched in by trainer Patrick Prendergast, who commented, “The ground is softer than I was planning for her, but she's improved. It's a big step up after just one run, but I think she'll run well.”
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