Marnane plots Ascot raid for dashing duo

STABLEMATES Jamesie and Seanie could both be readied for a trip to Ascot next month after running with credit at Leopardstown on Saturday.

JAMESIE ran his usual solid race to finish fifth in the hugely valuable Leopardstown September Handicap, while the less exposed but less straightforward Seanie absolutely flew home to fill the runner-up spot in the same race.

Trainer David Marnane believes both are capable of winning a big prize and both are likely to be given an entry in Ascot's Betfred Challenge Cup on October 6.

"It was a bit frustrating as both could have won and neither did," said Marnane.

"Jamesie was unlucky and finished on the bridle. He's a great little horse and a tough and genuine handicapper. He's come out of the race very fresh as he hardly had a race.

"I think there is still a bit of improvement in him and hopefully he'll have his day somewhere along the line.

"He's in the Ayr Gold Cup, but I would say he's more likely to go for a valuable seven-furlong race in Ascot.

"Seanie is a horse with a lot of ability, but he's not the easiest ride. It's taken him a long time for him to learn how to race and he still needs to improve mentally.

"He'll get an entry in the same Ascot race as Jamesie and he could go to Dubai during the winter as I think that would do him the world of good."

Chamonix wins Galway feature

Aidan O'Brien's Chamonix, still engaged in the Ladbrokes St Leger at Doncaster on Saturday, showed stamina in abundance to win the Ardilaun Hotel Oyster Stakes at Galway.

Sent off the 5/2 second-favourite in the Listed mile and a half event, Joseph O'Brien became involved in a barging match with Shane Foley on Macbeth at halfway.

After securing the position he wanted behind Eternal Bounty O'Brien kicked on some way out on the son of Galileo.

It looked hard work in the heavy ground and having just his third run Chamonix still looked a little green but he eventually knuckled down to the task to beat Demurely by six lengths.

"He's tough and he tries. He'd be better on nicer ground. 'Dusty' (Foley) wanted to keep me in a bit tight (down the back straight) but I found plenty of room," said O'Brien Jnr. "He is tough."