CHUTE FOR THE STARS

Halford filly can hit new heights

-  PETER O'HEHIR

STEPPING-UP significantly in trip, Chally Chute should make a bold bid to defy topweight in the William Hill Extra Places races Daily Handicap on the second day of Killarney's July Festival.

Now in the joint-care of Michael Halford and Tracey Collins, the five-year-old was progressive late last season, reeling off a hat-trick with wins at Dundalk (off 60) in September followed by victories at the Curragh (68) and Galway (76) in October, on the final occasion slamming Molly's Gamble by five lengths.

Chally Chute went up another 12lb for that Galway success and made his return to action at Tipperary in April where he ran a very satisfactory race to finish third, beaten less than three lengths, behind subsequent winners Burren Song and Taipan.