Skitter Scatter’s trip to Tipp
SKITTER SCATTER’S connections are cautiously optimistic the talented filly will do herself justice on her comeback in the Coolmore Stud Fairy Bridge Stakes at Tipperary this evening.
The daughter of Scat Daddy will have to prove herself again, after she was well beaten in the 1000 Guineas at Newmarket on her only start this season.
She was found to have torn a muscle, which has kept her sidelined for nearly four months.
Skitter Scatter was one of the best juvenile fillies of 2018, winning her final three starts — which culminated in the Group One Moyglare Stud Stakes at the Curragh in September.
Patrick Prendergast trained her as a two-year-old but decided to relinquish his licence during the off-season and join forces with John Oxx.
Prendergast said: ‘Everything’s OK. We’re happy the ground has dried up a little bit — that’s a help. We just hope she’ll go and perform well and come back sound, and we can move on and maybe head for the Matron, but obviously she would have to run very well.’
Surrounding is a significant rival, on a hat-trick after her Group Three success at Fairyhouse and one at Listed level at Galway. Trainer Michael Halford reports the six-yearold to be in tip-top condition but is well aware of the competition. ‘Obviously Skitter Scatter sets the standard if she’s back to her best. But our filly has been consistent, and we’re looking forward to another good run from her,’ he said.
Dan’s Dream, trained by Mick Channon, bids to go one better than 12 months ago when she was runner-up to a fellow British raider in One Master. Ralph Beckett’s Blizzard and Hells Babe from Mick Appleby’s stable are the other British representatives, while the home team includes two trained by Aidan O’Brien, Fire Fly and I Remember You.