Adnocon will defend their Listed Eye Liner Stakes title at Ipswich

Since the start of this year the Gerald Ryan trained Adnocon has had one main goal, to defend his title in the Listed Eye Liner Stakes at Ipswich.

It took a tremendous run to win last year’s event and it’s not something he’ll be giving up easily.

The stable has gone about things very differently in the lead up this year though and in the Eye Liner tomorrow Adnocon will be first up for this prep.

Last year he tackled the 1350m journey after two previous races.

Ryan is very confident this is the best way to go into it though and he has no doubts the horse is fit enough to win.

“The whole idea when he came back in for this preparation was that he was going to run in the Eye Liner first-up,” Ryan said.

“It has been set since he came back into work in late February.

“He has had two trials, both have been very good and he travelled up there 12 days ago and settled in terrific.

“He’s been there before so he knew where he was.”

Naturally though many people will be hesitant to back a horse without any recent read of form, especially given what he offered last year.

Adnocon won both lead up races in 2010 so there was no doubt the horse was always going to be fit enough if he was in the right spot.

Another big question mark is the fact that he hasn’t won a race since his win in this event last year.

For many that would be all the more reason to have him blow out the cobwebs beforehand but Ryan is a quality trainer and he’s sticking to his guns.

“He won the race last year third-up but we’re trying to win it first-up this time but with two trials.
“He’s going as well as he was last year,” he said.

Adnocon will jump from gate 12 in the 15 horse field and will probably need a bit of luck to get somewhere near the fence on the tight turning circuit.

“He’s drawn a bit awkward,” Ryan said.