Albigna shows strongest winter improvement, says rider Shane
Shane Foley says Albigna has progressed particularly well over the winter as the rider looks forward to a strong hand in the three-year-old filly division when racing resumes.
Albigna won the Prix Marcel Boussac for Foley and trainer Jessica Harrington last October, with the duo also striking Cheveley Park Stakes gold with Millisle the week before.
Those two Group One winners head a fine team in the Classic division for Harrington and Foley, with Group Two winner Alpine Star and Group Three scorer Cayenne Pepper adding further strength in depth.
However, with racing currently on hold and the Guineas meeting at Newmarket set to be rescheduled due to the coronavirus pandemic, Foley believes some members of the Harrington team may be forced to cross swords on the track.
He said: "Last season was fantastic and the two Group One winners really topped it off.
“I'm looking forward to this season as all those fillies have done well.
"A couple of Jessie's good fillies will probably have to clash. We had planned on running them in France, England and Ireland, but everything is up in the air at the moment.
"Albigna has done particularly well and she's probably got the strongest. Alpine
Star didn't grow, but she's filled out well.
"Millisle has done well and Cayenne Pepper out of the four of them is probably the one that the time will stand to the most. The rest of them could have gone to war straight away.
"They all have the form in the book and hopefully we get to ride in a Guineas at some stage."
Owners Paul and Clare
Rooney, meanwhile, have decided to end their interests over jumps and focus on the Flat instead.
The Rooneys have enjoyed plenty of big-race success over obstacles with the likes of Cheltenham Festival winner Willoughby Court, Grand National runner-up The Last Samuri and last year's Liverpool Hurdle winner If The Cap Fits.
However, racing manager Jason Maguire has confirmed the Rooneys will now have a Flat string, with 2016 Prince of Wales' Stakes winner My Dream Boat a particular past highlight on the level for the couple.