John Quinn’s stable star Highfield Princess could be set to take her place in the Prix de l’Abbaye at Longchamp after her disappointing performance on the Curragh.

The star six-year-old mare was bidding for back-to-back victories in the Flying Five Stakes at the Curragh on Sunday but soon found herself on the back foot following an awkward beginning. 

Sent off an even money chance to defend her crown, she slipped coming out the stalls and jockey Jason Hart never looked comfortable from there on. The daughter of Night OfThunder showed plenty of early dash to get herself back into contention but ultimately she couldn't sustain the challenge and finished well-held in fifth. 

The ultra-consistent sprinter has barely put a foot wrong in recent seasons and although the vet reported her showing signs of being in season post-race, trainer John Quinn judges her tardy beginning to be the cause of her below-par performance. 

Quinn said: "She was scoped afterwards and was absolutely fine so the coughing was just mud that was kicked back because she got behind early on, so she was fine on that front,"

"Missing the break did not help her. Jason said she lost her hind legs when she came out and with the first stride, she took her hind legs went. She was on the back foot straight away and did well to finish where she did in the end. It's just one of those things and these things can happen."

The Malton-based trainer continued: "She's fine this morning. We'll have a good look at her and if she is OK, we will run her in the Abbaye."

The Prix de l'Abbaye will take place at Longchamp on October 1st.