STARFORD proved the highlight of a Joseph O’Brien treble when leading home a stable 1-2 to win the featured Group 3 Tote Guarantee, Never Beaten By SP Alleged Stakes.
Backed from 33/1 to 9/1, the Newtown Anner Stud Farm Ltd-owned gelding came through to head stablemate Beset inside the last 200 yards, keeping on strongly under Scott McCullagh for a three-quarter-length win.
“He’s a good horse and he was very progressive last year,” said O’Brien. “He handles soft ground well and had the benefit of a run, which is always a help at this time of year. I’d say a mile and a quarter is a good trip for him.
“I’m delighted to get a nice winner for the Newtown Anner team and hopefully his best days are yet to come.”
O’Brien landed the opening Arizona Blaze Standing At The Irish National Stud Irish EBF Race with newcomer Star Prospect.
Sent off 9/2 under Joey Sheridan, the John Oxley-owned son of Starman showed a blistering turn of foot to mow down his rivals inside the final furlong, for a one-and-a-quarter-length success. “It’s always nice when your first two-year-old runner runs well,” said O’Brien.
Natural speed
“He had been showing plenty of natural speed. I don’t think he’d be going further than five at the moment. I think he’s a horse that’s made for the Norfolk, or something like that. It’s all speed. I think he’ll have a run before now and then. Something like the First Flier here (May 4th).”
Arctic Assassin brought up the O’Brien treble when staying on best under Joey Sheridan, completing his own double on the day, to win the concluding Your Game, Your Odds, Your 1xBet.ie Handicap.
Sent off 12/1, the Mrs Annemarie O’Brien-owned gelding headed Dreoilin 200 yards from home, before keeping on for a three-quarter-length win. “He looked green throughout the race, he was backward last year,” O’Brien said of the winner.
“I think he copes with the ground and Joey said he might stay a little bit further. He’s by Australia but it’s a quick family, his sister is a fast mare Easy. I’m not sure if he’ll stay as far as a normal Australia but we might try him over a bit further.”
GREAT Barrier Reef made a big impression on his debut when taking the Irish National Stud Maiden. The Smith/Magnier/Tabor/Westerberg-owned son of No Nay Never went to post a 4/9 shot.
Ryan Moore led passing the two-furlong pole, going away to score easily by six lengths.“We’re delighted. He’s never been away, or asked anything, so he was obviously green. You’d have to be very happy with him,” said trainer Aidan O’Brien.
On going to Royal Ascot, he added: “He’d obviously have to have another run before as he was very green. We always viewed him as a horse that would turn into a Coventry/Dewhurst type horse.”
Trainer Andrew Slattery sent out yet another winner as Bint Majestic Roi landed the Final Furlong Podcast With 1xBet.ie Handicap.
Prominent on the stands side from the off, the 6/1 chance led a furlong out under Andrew Slattery jnr, keeping on strongly to win by two and a quarter lengths for owner William Anthony Slattery.
“She was bred to be a mile-and-a-quarter filly and we were training her that way,” said Slattery. “Then we started working her this year and she was leading a few horses. Suddenly they couldn’t get to her so we said ‘maybe this one is a sprinter’.
“She has a good pedigree, she’s by Ghaiyyath and it’s all stamina. The dam is a half-sister to Hi Royal, who was second in a Guineas. If someone comes for her we’ll never refuse money!”
LOCAL trainer Willie McCreery was amongst the winners as Stag Night just held on close home to claim the SIS Supporting Irish Racing Handicap.
Prominent throughout under Billy Lee, the 3/1 favourite led at halfway, before holding the late challenge of Likedbymike by a short-head. McCreery said of the gelding who is owned by his wife Amanda: “He deserved that, he’s been consistent here this year. I must thank Brendan Curley who was in this morning fixing up his feet. I’m delighted for him and for the lads in the yard, they look after him.
“I told Billy to sit him in today and I’m glad he listened to my instructions and did the total opposite! We’ll look for another five furlongs here, because it’s the best prize money in the country.”
The regally-bred Thenandnow gained an important winning bracket when taking the Bermingham Cameras Irish EBF Maiden.
Shane Foley had the 7/1 chance prominent early, before she quickened up smartly to lead over a furlong from home. Soon in command, the Flaxman Stables Ireland Ltd-owned filly won by two and three-quarter lengths.
Quick filly
Trainer Jessica Harrington said: “I’m delighted with her, she’s gotten stronger and got through that ground perfect. She’s going to be a six-furlong filly, she’s quick.
“Shane said she’d be better if something took her along a bit more. We’ll probably look at a fillies race for her, possibly the Polonia Stakes in Cork. Blacktype is very important.”
Merisi Diamond recorded his first success since joining Thomas Coyle when winning the 1xBet.ie Supports Safe Gambling Handicap.
Sent off 15/2 under Billy Lee, the David Brennan/Tuite/Joanna Morgan and Jeremy Greene-owned gelding led 100 yards out. Strongly pressed by Red Charlie close home, the seven-year-old held on for a head win.
Coyle said: “He did a nice piece of work during the week. Billy said the cheekpieces helped him in the middle of the race. He’s probably getting a little bit cuter with age.
“Today was the plan, we’ve nothing else in the calendar and we’ll see what the weather does. If it gets better he might go on a little break.”