Falmouth on Albigna radar following Guineas disappointment

Fast ground blamed for Curragh defeat.

The Falmouth Stakes at Newmarket is a potential target for beaten Irish 1,000 Guineas favourite Albigna.

A Group One winner in Paris last season before finishing fourth at the Breeders’ Cup, Jessica Harrington’s filly was a warm order for last Saturday’s Curragh Classic, but could finish only sixth as Peaceful took the honours.

Connections of Albigna feel the prevailing fast ground may have been to blame for a slightly below-par performance, but remain optimistic for the rest of the season.

Alan Cooper, racing manager for owners the Niarchos Family, said: “Albigna is seemingly fine. She’s a little bit stiff and we think she just found the ground a bit too firm.

“She’s a Group One winner, luckily for us, but that does mean her options are limited to Group One races. We’ll assess the options, see what the ground is like for different races and see where we go.

“I don’t think we’d be looking at stepping her up in trip for an Oaks this stage. The Falmouth Stakes at Newmarket is the next Group One opportunity in the calendar, so we’ll look at that.”

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Jessica Harrington

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