William Haggas admits it is difficult to know what to expect when he saddles Harris Tweed against Aidan O'Brien's St Nicholas Abbey in Friday's Boodles Diamond Ormonde Stakes at Chester.
Since his win in the Racing Post Trophy, St Nicholas Abbey has only been seen twice since, when a beaten favourite in last year`s 2000 Guineas and even more disappointingly when only third in a Listed race on his return a month ago. By contrast, Harris Tweed enjoyed a great 2010, winning four times, including two Listed races at the end of the season.
"He did very well last year and he`s ready to go now," said Haggas.
"The ground won`t make any difference to him, he`s won on soft and good to firm so we`re not worried.
"St Nicholas Abbey is there but their career paths have gone in different directions over the last 18 months. We`ll see, I don`t know what to expect."
Michael Bell runs Allied Powers, who returned this season with a fourth place finish in the John Porter behind Indian Days.
"He`s in good form. We know he likes the track, the ground could be a little bit quick for him but he should run a very good race," said Bell.
"He does handle quicker ground these days but I`d love to see him in a mile-and-a-half race on soft ground but there just aren't any about at the moment. Hopefully we might get some rain soon.
"We`re heading to Chantilly after this for the race he won last year (Grand Prix de Chantilly)."
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