Hogan considering Sapphire date for Make A Challenge

Sprinter returned to form at the Curragh on Friday.

Make A Challenge could make a quick reappearance in the Holden Plant Rental Sapphire Stakes back at the Curragh after returning to form in the Sky Bet Midsummer Sprint Stakes at the track.

Trainer Denis Hogan is thinking of supplementing the five-year-old for the Group Two sprint on July 19 following his game neck success over Urban Beat on Friday evening.

“It was good to see him back. The last day was a bit of a mess. A few times we rode him too forward over six, including Champions Day at Ascot last year,” said Hogan.

“I left it to Joe (Doyle) today and he told me he’d get it right. To be fair he had to battle – and he did. I thought he was beat, but he stuck his head down.

“There is a fair chance he’ll be supplemented for the Sapphire here next weekend. It’s 8,000 euros, but he’s paid for it today.

“The long-term target is the Prix de l’Abbaye, and we’re hoping for soft ground there. There is the Flying Five here (at the Curragh) and a lot of options in the UK.

“Joe rides him every day at home, and he does a great job with him, because he can be a hard ride at home. He knows him better than anyone, and it was his tactics that worked out there.”

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