ON her second start for Paddy Twomey, Bosphorus Rose (4/1) was an emphatic winner of the featured Watch Racing TV Irish EBF Lenebane Stakes over a mile and a half at Roscommon.
A four-time winner in lower-grade company for Sir Mark Prescott, Bosphorus Rose was bought for £150,000 at Tattersalls in December by owners William and Emma Kennedy.
Third in the Group 3 Munster Oaks earlier in the month, the Golden Horn four-year-old led early before slotting into second behind Counting Coup.
In front again and still on the bridle two furlongs out, Billy Lee’s mount quickly settled matters and scored by four and three-quarter lengths from Abbey Actress with odds-on favourite Starford back in third. “She came forward well from her run at Cork,” said Twomey.
“This is a race that we like, we’ve won three of the last five runnings now. Mr Prescott made a good job of her last year and we’re delighted to have her. Hopefully, she can continue to progress. I’d say she’s versatile, over a mile and a quarter or a mile and a half. We’ll look for a Group 3 now.”
Close finish
Owned by Ace Stud and ridden by their retained rider Shane Foley, Elusive Echo (2/1 favourite) took the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Maiden over seven furlongs.
Third on debut at Gowran Park, the Sea The Stars three-year-old, whose unraced dam is a half-sister to Group 1 winner The Fugue, chased the leaders and reeled in the front-running Almeiyda inside the final 100 yards to score by a neck.
Michael Halford was on hand to represent trainer Joseph O’Brien and commented: “She’s a lovely, honest filly and Shane gave her a smashing ride - kept it simple. It’s very important with her pedigree to get a bracket with her.”
RORY Cleary was seen at his strongest when forcing Thatwilldoso (4/1 joint-favourite) up in the final stride to win his late brother’s race, the Sean Cleary Memorial Handicap, for the second year in a row.
Pushed five wide turning for home in the 10-furlong contest, the daughter of Berkshire soon moved into contention and battled on well to foil Flying Fortress by a short head.
“She likes this track and needs an uphill finish,” said winning trainer Kevin Coleman of the ThatWillDoSo Syndicate’s five-year-old.
“Plans don’t often come off, but the filly was tough at the line and Rory knows her so well. I go back a long way with the Clearys.
“Tom and Kathleen ran the pony racing for long enough back in the early 2000s. We’re around a long time.”
La La Lucrative (5/1) recorded his second win of the campaign in the Jimmy Murray Agri Services Handicap over seven furlongs.
Travelled powerfully
Having travelled powerfully just behind the pace, Robbie Colgan’s mount led over a furlong out to account for market leader Toy Soldier by three-parts of a length.
“He ran over six in Fairyhouse the last day, it was probably a bit soon after he won at Listowel and the ground was probably a bit quick,” said winning trainer, Matt Smith. “He’s after improving this year and has been a little bit more consistent. I’m delighted for his owners, Shay and Kathleen Gillen.”
BEN Coen rode a treble for three different stables, which was completed aboard 15/8 favourite Ashikita in the mile and a half maiden for four-year-olds and upwards.
The Aga Khan-bred daughter of Camelot, owned by the Cara Mia Partnership, sat close to the pace and led two furlongs out before being ridden out to beat Catherine Magennis by two and a half lengths.
“We thought that a mile and a half around here, with a little ease in the ground, would suit her really well,” said trainer Johnny Murtagh. “She was still a bit green, so hopefully there is more to come and she’ll probably be in a handicap next.”
Nermal, who justified 5/2 favouritism in the Conor Cassidy Car Sales Handicap over a mile and a quarter, was the middle leg of Coen’s treble.
Trained for Joe Bolger by Andy Slattery, the James Garfield gelding came through to lead inside the final furlong for a two-and-a-half-length success over the gambled-on Vantage Code.
“He deserved that, but he could be at the full of his handicap mark now,” said assistant trainer Willie Slattery. “I’d say we’ll start popping him over hurdles. We’ll probably try him in another handicap, but he could start schooling away there now.”
No distress for Damsel
Coen’s first winner was Damsel In Distress (11/1) in the Irish EBF Auction Series Maiden over seven furlongs.
The Minzaal filly had finished fifth after missing the break on her debut at Listowel and got the better of short-priced favourite Sea Of Rain in the closing stages to score by a length and a quarter.
“The (New Suit) syndicate bought five horses at the yearling sales last year and I always loved her from day one,” said trainer Danny McLoughlin. “She’s a big filly and is out of a mare that got blacktype in France. Derek Veitch sold her as a foal and he recommended her to me.
“She jumped fine at home, but when the gates opened in Listowel, with the colours and the slap of the gates, she got a bit of stage fright. She’s won now and we like giving them a good experience after they win. A week or 10 days out in a field would be no problem.”