McMahon wary of Gaga draw

Ed McMahon admits a wide draw is far from ideal for Radio Gaga at Warwick on Thursday as she has her first start since the 1000 Guineas.

The three-year-old showed smart form as a juvenile and shaped with plenty of promise when second to Moonstone Magic in Newbury's Dubai Duty Free Stakes on her seasonal reappearance.

She failed to get competitive when a big outsider for the Guineas at Newmarket, but McMahon believes there was an excuse.

Radio Gaga now has her sights lowered in the Listed Weatherbys Bloodstock Insurance Eternal Stakes.

"There aren't that many opportunities for her as I didn't want to put her in a handicap," said McMahon.

"The ground will suit us, but the downside is obviously the draw (stall 13).

"We found our filly had a bit of a virus coming out of Newmarket and she ran as flat as a pancake.

"She's fit and well and hopefully she'll do herself some justice.

"She's back to herself again now and I'm hopeful of a good run."

Newmarket-based Italian Marco Botti has two interesting contenders in Appealing and Colorful Notion.

Appealing looked impressive at Yarmouth recently, while Colorful Notion makes her first appearance since finishing third in Dubai in March.

Botti said: "Appealing is a progressive filly and she has always shown ability at home.

"In the spring we had some fancy entries for her, including the English Guineas, but we struggled to find the races for her due to the soft ground.

"She ran in a conditions race at Kempton and then had a break because I couldn't find a race for her.

"She won in good style at Yarmouth, she has a good draw (stall two), and hopefully she can be competitive in an open race.

"I just hope the ground isn't too soft for her as she prefers good ground.

"The other filly ran well in a conditions race in Dubai on her last start and she's in good form.

"She's consistent and genuine and we want to try and find her some black type."

Another trainer with two runners is Rae Guest.

He runs Newmarket maiden winner Poisson D'Or, as well as Kickingthelilly, who was down the field in the Sandringham Handicap at Royal Ascot last week.

"Poisson D'Or is improving and looks very promising, so we thought we'd try her in a Listed race and hope she runs a great race," said Guest.

"She's less exposed than the other filly and we hope she can go on from this.

"Kickingthelilly is a tough little horse and always runs a good race, so hopefully she'll give a good account of herself.

"She's come out of Ascot well and is a battle-hardened filly.

"Her mark is probably where she is."