BAREFOOT LADY will today be supplemented for Sunday’s Qipco 1000 Guineas at Newmarket.
Trainer Richard Fahey said the daughter of Footstepsinthesand, who landed the Nell Gwyn Stakes under Warrington jockey at Headquarters earlier this month, will be added to the field for the fillies’ Classic at the cost of £30,000 to connections.
The three-year-old is a 25-1 chance with Victor Chandler and Stan James and is set to line up in Sunday’s Classic.
It is a huge bonus for champion jockey Hanagan and his boss Fahey, who were forced to scrap a 2,000 Guineas bid for the unbeaten Wootton Bassett last week.
Trainer Fahey said: “We’ve decided to supplement her as she’s 100% and in great form at the moment, so it’s worth a punt.
“She travelled well on the better ground the other day and came home well, so conditions will be in her favour.
“I’ve watched the race four or five times now and in another 50 yards she’d have won further.
“It looks like she’ll stay and she’s absolutely at the top of her game now. We just hope some of the other fillies aren’t.
“There are a few questions marks about the ground with one or two of the fancied ones, so we’ve decided to give it a shot.”
Meanwhile Mervyn Torrens is not worried about Hughies Grey’s novice status ahead of today’s the Ladbrokes Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse.
The seven-year-old has won his last two races, including a Grade Two event at Navan last time out. With Michael Darcy suspended, big-race specialist Robbie Power will ride.
And Torrens said: “Novices have a good record in the race and he’s going the right way.
“He’s had plenty of experience anyway, and touch wood he has always jumped very well.
“I’m going to Fairyhouse later to have a look at the ground but as far as I know everybody is saying they have done a good job of watering it. It’s an Irish National so they’ll be making a big effort to make sure it’s safe.
“Robbie Power instead, and he’s not a bad substitute. It’s unfortunate for Darcy but that’s life.”
TODAY’S NAP: Tancred Spirit (5.30pm Redcar).
