McCreery set for Cool running

Gamilati: Must show more in the Sceptre Stakes

Ireland's hopes of retaining Thursday's Japan Racing Association Sceptre Stakes at Doncaster rest with their sole representative Coolnagree.

Trainer Willie McCreery believes his grey is well worth being given the chance to follow on from John Oxx's Alanza 12 months ago, as she has shot through the ranks in swift fashion this season.

Coolnagree beat subsequent Jersey Stakes winner Ishvana, admittedly receiving plenty of weight, in a handicap at the Curragh in March and was second in two more good Listed races at the Kildare track during the spring.

Returning from several months away from the track in a Group Three at Tipperary, she satisfied her trainer with a fourth-placed finish.

"She's had a good season and it was a great run last time after a break - she got knocked about in the race and finished well," said McCreery.

"We're looking forward to it. There are no easy options at Group level and when you're a three-year-old filly, you've got to take your chances."

The ground on Town Moor promises to be quicker than Coolnagree has experienced lately but her trainer said: "All her best runs have been on soft to yielding, but she's growing up a bit and I don't think she will mind it faster."

Regal Opponent

Among her 17 opponents are a pair from Jeremy Noseda's yard in Regal Realm and Instance.

The former won the Oak Tree Stakes at Glorious Goodwood but was last back at the same course when slowly away in the Supreme Stakes.

Instance is moving out of handicap company and Noseda told www.jeremynoseda.com: "Regal Realm is proven at this level although sometimes she needs things to go right for her.

"With Instance, we are chancing our arm by stepping her up in grade, so we will see how we get along."

Big Step

Roger Varian throws Newmarket maiden winner Perfect Step in at the deep end after two further encouraging efforts at handicap level.

"We are taking a big step up in grade with her but she seems in good form and she has done nothing wrong this season and deserves to take her chance," he told www.varianstable.com.

There are many other dangers in the race, with William Haggas' Jersey Stakes runner-up Sentaril looking to leave a luckless effort at York behind.

Godolphin's Gamilati, a Classic performer in Dubai, must show more than on her return in the Oak Tree, while Bonnie Brae and Miss Work Of Art are others to have shown a high level of form in the past.

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