News York heat next on Marsha agenda

York heat next on Marsha agenda

racing

Plans are in place to keep Marsha to the minimum trip for a shot at next month's City Walls Stakes at York.

After coming up short in Group-race company at the Curragh on her previous start, the Sir Mark Prescott-trained three-year-old opened her account for the season at Ayr when gaining some valuable black type with victory in the Listed Land O'Burns Fillies' Stakes.

Although connections are keen to step the three-year-old back up to Pattern-race level in the future, a tilt at the Listed five-furlong event on the Knavesmire on July 9 is likely to be next on the agenda.

Dan Downie, racing manager for owners Elite Racing Club, said: "Marsha is an exciting filly and we have always really liked her. She looks all about speed.

"She was very keen in Ireland. She was travelling best of them all two out, but I think she probably went a bit too soon that day. She needs holding up and it just didn't work out that day.

"At the start of the year we weren't quite sure whether she wanted five, six or seven furlongs but she has clearly answered that.

"I think we will probably be keeping her to five and the most likely race for her now is the five-furlong Listed race at York on July 9.

"She will probably go against the seasoned sprinters and that will tell us a lot more."