I Can Fly has some to class form to her name, so now eased in grade looks the one to be on at 6/4 with Ladbrokes in the 1m Group 2 Lanwades Stud Stakes on Irish 2000 Guineas day at The Curragh on Saturday (16:10).
This beautifully bred four-year-old daughter of Fastnet Rock hails from the all-conquering yard of Aidan O’Brien and has won four of her 15 career starts, including once at this grade.
I Can Fly has also posted some solid efforts in defeat at the highest level, finishing a 5 1/2 lengths fourth of 19 to Laurens in the Group 1 Sun Chariot at Newmarket and a cracking neck second of 13 to Roaring Lion in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot last term.
She made a winning return to action this season when easily landing a minor contest at Dundalk by eight lengths, and there was lots to like about her effort at Newbury seven days ago when sixth of 14 to Mustashry in the Group 1 Lockinge.
After being slowly away, I Can Fly was held-up well off the pace, before making good headway to chase the leaders two from home.
She then kept on nicely until weakening towards the finish to be beaten just a 4 1/2 lengths in what was a very competitive renewal.
It was a huge performance, given how the race panned out, and this represents a return to much calmer waters.
I Can Fly is also joint-top rated on 113 with One Master, but receives 3lb from that rival who lacks a recent run.
So, with underfoot conditions ideal, this weak race for the grade looks a great opening for I Can Fly to get back on the scoresheet.
Mr Lupton the Greenland choice
In the 6f Group 2 Greenlands Stakes (15:00), Richard Fahey’s Mr Lupton makes plenty of appeal at 3/1 with Betvictor.
This six-year-old is a consistent sort who enjoyed a fine campaign last season when winning three times.
In the second of those successes, Mr Lupton came with his customary late run from off the pace to beat subsequent Group 1 winner Alpha Delphini by a head a a Listed eight-runner contest at York.
The son of Elnadim was then far from disgraced when a keeping on, never nearer 4 3/4 lengths fourth to Battaash in the Group 2 King George Stakes at Glorious Goodwood.
Mr Lupton went on to land a Group 3 at Newbury when beating Take Cover by three-quarters of a length, and also ran well on his final start of the season when a neck runner-up in a Listed contest at Ascot.
The form of those races read well in relation to this Group 2 which lacks any real strength-in-depth, while another plus is that Mr Lupton has a good record fresh.
A bigger danger to Mr Lupton could well be Speak In Colours, who enjoyed his finest hour when landing a Group 3 over course and distance last August by 1 1/4 lengths from Gordon Lord Byron.
The Joseph O’Brien trained four-year-old was then beaten just over five lengths when seventh of 12 to The Tin Man in the Group 1 Sprint Cup at Haydock. Judged on that run, he could well have more to offer and is 9/2 with Bethard.
