3 minute read

Tim Easterby's Mattmu travels to Ireland on Sunday in search of his first victory of the season in the Qatar Racing & Equestrian Club Phoenix Sprint Stakes at the Curragh.

A revelation for the Great Habton handler last season, in nine outings he registered four successes which culminated with a Group Two win in France.

He reappeared at York in May and ran a cracker against his elders in the Duke of York Stakes, beating all bar Glass Office.

Back against his own age group at Haydock he ran a rare below-par race in the Sandy Lane Stakes when only fifth to Adaay but it was much more like it last time out at Newcastle when narrowly beaten in the Chipchase Stakes.

Mattmu has had to skip the odd race due to fast ground, but Easterby has no worries about conditions this weekend.

"He goes on fast ground, no problem, but he's better on soft," said Easterby.

"He's grown into a big, strong horse. He's filling out.

"We didn't really know what happened at Haydock, but that's the only bad race he's had this season."

Mick Halford is doubly represented in the eight-runner race, with the seven-year-old Russian Soul and Godolphin's Toscanini, who was back to winning ways at Naas last time out.

"We're looking forward to running the two of them and we'll see how they get on," said Halford.

"Russian Soul has been a great servant to the yard and seems in good form.

"Toscanini is well and we've been happy with him since Naas.

"We're looking forward to seeing how he gets on at this trip in a Group Three."

Eddie Lynam saddles three, with the filly main hope Anthem Alexander joined by Balmont Mast and Fort Del Oro.

Kevin Prendergast runs Beach Belle and Evanna McCutcheon's Maarek is also in the line-up.