BARNAVARA continues on an upward curve and followed up a listed win at Navan earlier this month by landing the 10-furlong Group 3 Al Shira’aa Racing Irish EBF Jannah Rose Stakes.

The Alpha Racing-owned filly is well suited by front-running tactics and made all here under Shane Foley, keeping on strongly from over a furlong out to beat Faiyum by a length and a quarter with And So To Bed five and a half lengths further back in third.

“She loves running like that and she’s probably now just growing into herself. She’s a proper filly now. There was always a doubt that she mightn’t stay being by Calyx and everything out of the mare hasn’t gone further than nine furlongs,” said trainer Jessica Harrington of the 11/4 winner.

“We’ve won a listed and we’ve won a Group 3, so she’ll move up the grades. We could look at France and there is also the Snow Fairy (at the Curragh on August 30).”

Third time lucky

Havana Anna opened her account at the third attempt when impressively landing odds of 4/11 in the opening Dooley Insurance Group Irish EBF Fillies’ Maiden.

Gavin Ryan’s mount cruised to the front two furlongs out and was ridden out inside the final furlong to beat Dawn Romance by all of six lengths.

“It was awful placing by me to put her in behind two Royal Ascot winners first time!

“To be fair, I’d say Ger (Lyons)’s filly was smart the last day,” said Donnacha O’Brien, who trains the daughter of Havana Grey for Gaynor Bloodstock.

“I’d say she’s better back at five, as she seems to have loads of pace, and it is a (€50,000) Goffs Bonus race, so a nice prize fund for the owner.

“I’d say she’s a stakes filly and there is a five-furlong fillies listed race, the Marwell, back here towards the end of July that should be perfect for her.”

GARY Carroll partnered a double on the evening aboard Carrigans Grove and Luscious. The latter made all in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Maiden and stretched clear inside the final furlong to beat Guarded by five lengths.

“Physically she’s a different filly than last year and, looking at her there now, she should never have run at two. Gary kept it simple and just rolled along,” said trainer Ger Lyons of the 3/1 shot.

“The two boys, John Brady and Brian Gleeson, asked me to try and win a maiden and maybe she might have one more run.”

More to come

Carrigans Grove, trained by Pat Flynn for owner/breeder Sinead Maher, who is well-known in racing circles as the owner of Boomerang Horse & Country Store in Thurles and Boomerang Animal Bedding, is holding her form really well and made it two wins and two seconds from four starts this year, when just getting the better of American In Paris to justify 5/2 favouritism in the ARKequine Handicap.

“She’s been solid and was unlucky last time when the winner got first run on me, so it was grand to see her get her just rewards. She probably just got away with the drop back in trip and I’d say she’s more of a six-furlong filly. Hopefully there is more in her,” said Carroll.

Compensation

Paul Flynn gained quick compensation for the defeat of American In Paris as Ms Willpower followed up a debut win at Dundalk last summer by defying odds of 40/1 in the Race And Stay Rated Race.

The KLF Partnership-owned filly was prominent throughout under Dylan Browne McMonagle and, despite showing signs of greenness, kept on well to hold the challenge of Fregada by half a length.

“She’s the best I’ve ever had. We had her sold to go to America last year, but there were complications with a vet over there.

“She beats Little Queenie out of the way. I thought there was something wrong with Little Queenie and then she went and won!” said Longford trainer Paul Flynn.

“If she gets sold then well and good and, if not, we’ll have to look at blacktype races. I’ve never had to look at those races before!”

PUNTERS were in for a further shock in the Fox Dunlavin Apprentice Handicap, where Miss Nifty made a winning start for Sheila Lavery at 66/1. The Far Above filly swept to the front on the outer two furlongs out and galloped on strongly under Yudish Geerdharry to beat Theophilos by four lengths.

“She had been running over five, six and seven in the UK and, when she came to me, I thought she needed a bit of a trip as she has a big, long stride,” said trainer Sheila Lavery.

“She isn’t keen at home, but she was today and Yudish gave her a thoughtful ride. He took a pull, slotted her in behind and then, when she came off the bend, he gave her a kick and she probably reacted a bit quicker than he thought. I’m absolutely thrilled for her owner/breeder Albert Conneally.”

Esherann battles back

Standard Deviation was sent off a red-hot 1/4 favourite for the Tinnakill House (C&G) Maiden, but had to settle for the runner-up spot as 100/30 chance Esherann proved stronger in the closing stages by half a length, with the pair pulling 11 lengths clear of the remainder.

“He battled very well and a very strong ride from Chris Hayes. He answered every call,” said Dermot Weld of the Aga Khan’s home-bred son of Wootton Bassett. “It was one of those tactical races between two top-class riders. Hopefully, we’ll get some blacktype with him during the year.”