Michael Dods tempted by Champions Day mission for Mabs Cross

Mabs Cross has raced mainly over the minimum trip. Picture: Racingfotos.com

Michael Dods may yet let Mabs Cross run in the QIPCO British Champions Sprint over six furlongs at Ascot on QIPCO British Champions Day.

Dods has always been tempted to run the mare over six furlongs – but given her excellent form at five, he has been reluctant to change.

With retirement looming for Mabs Cross at the end of the season, however, he is contemplating giving her the opportunity after a luckless trip to Ireland when sixth in last weekend’s Derrinstown Stud Flying Five Stakes at the Curragh.

Dods said: “It would be lovely to see her over six, but the situations with the races we were always going for haven’t allowed it. We’ve always felt she’d get six.

“She lost a shoe in Ireland, which wouldn’t have helped. We’ve still got the Abbaye on the agenda, and possibly the six furlongs at Ascot.

“She’s just been hitting top gear too late this season. She needed every bit of the trip when she won at Newmarket, and since then she’s got going too late.

“Hopefully she’ll come to herself in France again. She’s come out of the race well and seems happy.”

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