Anna Pavlova is to make her seasonal return in the Emirates Airline Yorkshire Cup on May 16, trainer Richard Fahey has confirmed.

The five-year-old mare travelled to Longchamp on Sunday to run in the Prix Ganay only for Fahey to withdraw her before the race because of unsuitable ground. She has since returned home and is reported none the worse for her wasted journey.

Although she holds an entry in Sunday’s stanjamesuk.com Jockey Club Stakes at Newmarket, Fahey has hinted that she is likely to wait for the York race.

I can’t get my head round how everybody keeps saying it was soft ground,” a bemused Fahey said.

“My travelling lad walked the course on Friday and said it was on the soft side of good.

“Then they had no more rain and yesterday he said it was good ground, maybe just on the easy side. If anything, the times say it was quicker than that and if anyone can explain that one to me I’d like to know.

“Anyway she enjoyed her weekend in Paris! She came back this morning and is fine.

“She’s in the Jockey Club Stakes at Newmarket the weekend, but I’d say she’d probably go to York.”

As well as her entries at York and Newmarket, the daughter of Danehill Dancer is entered in the Juddmonte Coronation Cup and the Irish Field Irish St Leger later in the season.
(Source: Setanta Sports)