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Naggers could contest Rockingham Handicap at the Curragh

Reputation (right) wins the Investec Asset Management Handicap from Naggers
Image: Naggers (white) could head to the Curragh

Naggers is under consideration for a trip to Ireland for the Rockingham Handicap at the Curragh on Irish Derby weekend.

Paul Midgley's six-year-old was an unlucky loser at Epsom recently and is still engaged in the Wokingham at Royal Ascot.

He is unlikely to make the cut there, and the ground is on course to be faster than he would prefer, so Midgley is thinking further afield.

"I think we had to win at Epsom to stand a chance of getting in the Wokingham," said the Westow handler.

"Things just didn't fall right but he looked the best horse in the race to me.

"He's to have good or softer ground but he will win a nice race this year, I'm sure of that.

"We've looked after him, probably more than any other horse I've ever had, because we think he's very capable.

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"He might get an entry for the Rockingham, soft ground and five furlongs will play to his strengths.

"He's still a bit like the daft lad in class as he's mentally immature but there's something about him."

Royal Ascot Venture for Final

Final Venture booked his ticket to Royal Ascot when winning the Achilles Stakes at Haydock on Friday evening.

Paul Midgley's five-year-old was twice a winner at the Dubai Carnival and was beaten just over two lengths in the Temple Stakes prior to his Listed success on Merseyside.

Final Venture will now run in the King's Stand Stakes and while Midgley is not making any bold predictions, he fully believes Final Venture deserves to be in the field.

"He's come out of Haydock really well, had a canter (on Monday morning) and will got to Ascot now," said the North Yorkshire handler.

"I'd say his Temple Stakes run might have been a career-best, if anything he's getting quicker.

"The only problem when you go to Ascot is you are not just taking on the best sprinters from England, but the best in the world.

"I saw we were 66-1 and while I'm not saying he's going to go and win or anything like that, he deserves his place and has a live outside chance.

"I'd hope he'd beat more than beat him. He's got form at Ascot but the only negative is how competitive it is - there's not much between a lot of them."

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