Halford has high hopes for his trio

THE Coolmore Stud Fairy Bridge Stakes is the feature race at Tipperary this evening, and Mick Halford fields three of the 13 runners.

Petticoat, Surrounding and Vivianite will all line up in the Group Three for the Kildare-based trainer.

Godolphin’s Petticoat is the highest rated of the trio but finished fourth behind the reopposing I Can Fly at Killarney last week.

‘Petticoat came out of the race really well,’ said Halford (right). ‘We just felt things didn’t go to plan the last day so we’re happy to let her take her chance again quickly.

‘Surrounding has been a very consistent filly for us for a few years. She’s been a great servant and we’re just trying to nick a bit of black type with her.

‘Vivianite won well last week in a maiden. Strictly on the figures she’ll have a bit to find with some of these but we’ve been pleased with her.

‘Everything is in her favour — the trip, the ground, the track — so if she can get black type we’ll be delighted. She’s only three and at this time of year you never know when three-year-old fillies are going to stop improving.

‘She looks better now than she ever has so we’re happy to let her take her chance.’

As well as I Can Fly, Aidan O’Brien also runs Irish Guineas runner-up Could It Be Love.

Later on, Dubai Carnival winner Hit The Bid returns to action in the Kilrush Stud Abergwaun Stakes.

Darren Bunyan’s stable star finished second on his first run at Meydan before winning a valuable handicap. He then finished third in a Group Three to Ertijaal before disappointing in the Al Quoz on World Cup night.

Off since then, with Irish Champions Weekend the aim, Bunyan believes Hit The Bid has improved for his break.

‘I’ve been more than happy with him at home, he thrived for the experience out in Dubai and has loved having a break,’ said Bunyan, who also runs Optionality, a fourlength winner of a Curragh maiden on her second start.

Aidan O’Brien’s St Patrick’s Day, a full brother to Triple Crown hero American Pharoah, is on a retrieval mission, having failed to win in three races in Ireland.