Royal Runner Lightning Polka Out To Strike At Ayr
Following an outstanding debut at Haydock only a fortnight ago, Lightning Polka will aim to carry the royal colours to Group Three success in the Ladbrokes-sponsored Firth Of Clyde at Ayr on Saturday.
The child of Night Of Thunder is one of the first horses sent out to trainer Ed Walker by the King and Queen and made a best start to her career on Merseyside.
Her handler is aware she has far more on her plate in Scotland this weekend, however is hoping she can show as much as the job.
Speaking at on Friday, Walker stated: "It's a big day and she was truly impressive at Haydock on her debut.
"I believe she'll be OK on the ground, even though Tom (Marquand) stated it was a bit dead and ugly when he rode there on Thursday.
"I think she'll enhance once again from this run and we have actually refrained from doing a lot given that Haydock as this comes fast enough. I would have loved it to have been three weeks given that her debut instead of 2, however she's a great filly and she was truly straightforward and expert very first time.
Trainer Ed Walker is ready for a huge afternoon at Ayr (John Walton/PA)
"It's a dream to train for the King and Queen and she was really our very first two-year-old to have a problem, which I could not believe.
"I was so fired up to train 2 horses for the King and Queen and I have a really great filly who is a bit backwards and then Lightning Polka, who is more of a two-year-old type. She went and picked up a niggle early, however thankfully she overcame that quickly and she's interesting."
Among the biggest dangers to Lightning Polka seems dual winner Coming Attraction, who won a hot conditions race at Chester last time and represents the flourishing Roger Varian string.
Also in the mix is Richard Fahey's Catching The Moon, who needed to opt for 2nd behind Albany Stakes runner-up Awaken on her Leicester launching before readily dispatching a subsequent winner at Beverley at the second time of asking.
Fahey believes the No Nay Never filly might not realise her full capacity until next season, but is eager to check the waters at a higher level before completion of her juvenile project.
"We simulate her however I'm not sure how she will manage the ground if it's on the slow side," he stated.
"We're delighted to run her and see what occurs. I believe her very first run was rather good and we feel we would probably beat the winner if we fulfilled once again and after that the race at Beverley which she won will have done her the world of great, so we have actually been pleased with her.
"She's a filly for next year actually and I didn't want to run her too many times, but I needed to run her again so I thought I may also run her in a good race and see how she gets on."
An overall of 15 two-year-old fillies go to publish on the west coast of Scotland, with other notable names consisting of Simon and Ed Crisford's Lowther 4th Dandana, Ed Bethell's simple Catterick winner Rogue Attraction and George Boughey's unbeaten three-time winner India Love.
There is also competitive action, albeit with less runners, in the Listed Ladbrokes "Big Football Bet Builder Boosts" Doonside Cup, where Andrew Balding's Feilden Stakes winner Almeric makes his first appearance considering that impressing at Newmarket in April.
He is the most likely favourite in a field of 6 for a 10-furlong contest in which William Haggas is represented by Caviar Heights, with the Somerville Lodge handler hoping conditions remain appropriate for a four-year-old who has suffered successive narrow beats at Listed level in the Gala Stakes and August Stakes.
"He's been a bit unfortunate however he desires soft ground and hopefully it will still have some cut in it on Saturday as the softer it is, the much better he will be," said Haggas.
"He's a really great horse and when he gets soft ground you'll see an even much better horse."