Jarvis looks on bright side of life

Michael Jarvis was today looking to the next chapter after last weekend's tale of two fillies produced contrasting results for the Newmarket trainer.

While his Ela Athena was yesterday denied the Group One Hong Kong Vase by just one-and-three-quarter lengths by the Sir Michael Stoute-trained Daliapour, the previous day stable companion Life Is Life trailed in a dismal last in Ascot's Grade Two Capel Cure Sharp Kennel Gate Novices' Hurdle.

Jarvis revealed that four-year-old Ela Athena stays in training for 2001 and will be prepared for an autumn campaign. While the Breeders' Cup at New York's Belmont Park next October remains a possibility, the main aim will be a repeat tilt at both the Japan Cup and Hong Kong Vase.

"She ran a super race at Sha Tin yesterday," said Jarvis, on arriving back from Hong Kong this morning. "She'll now have a nice, long rest and then we'll concentrate on the second half of next season.

"She has shown when fourth in Japan and now second in Hong Kong that it's possible to take in both races and run well, so we'll set our sights on that again. The Breeders' Cup is a possibility, given its venue, but it depends how the dates fall. She ran in the Man O'War and Turf Classic at Belmont this year and may do so again in 2001."

Life Is Life will also be taking a holiday after reportedly unsuited by heavy ground at Ascot two days ago when finishing the beaten 7-4 favourite behind hurdles debutante Ben Ewar. Jarvis still thinks of her a realistic Cheltenham Festival horse, although not for the Champion Hurdle.