7/10/13 - Newmarket handler, Ed Dunlop, appears convinced that his outstanding middle-distance mare, Snow Fairy, will return to the top of the tree this term, despite a long absence from racecourse duty.

The bargain basement buy cost just 1800 euros as a yearling but has proved an amazing money-spinner for her owner, Cristina Patino, having so far amassed close to £4 million in career prize money over the last four seasons as a result of a host of big race successes around the world.

Not seen since getting the better of a tremendous battle with John Gosden’s Nathaniel in last season’s Group 1 Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown, the six-year-old has suffered a series of niggling setbacks that ruled her out of another planned visit to the Far East. She is a hugely popular runner with horse racing fans, after wins in top races in both Hong Kong and Tokyo in recent seasons.

Dunlop however feels that the daughter of Intikhab is potentially better than ever judging by an “electrifying” piece of work she did after racing at Sandown earlier in the season, after which she once again frustratingly sustained a minor injury that has kept her on the ‘easy list’ ever since.

Although no date has yet been pencilled in for her return to racecourse duty, the latest betting odds indicate that Snow Fairy has a range of potential options.

 that would include defending her Irish Champion Stakes crown, the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, as well as another jaunt around the Far East and a bid to again land the hugely valuable Queen Elizabeth II Commemorative Cup for a third time in Tokyo, and the prestigious Hong Kong Cup at Sha Tin.

It comes as no surprise to learn that Dunlop expects this to be the great mare’s final season before retiring to stud.