THESECRETADVERSARY (3/1) gained a first career success in Tipperary’s featured Listed Coolmore Stud Churchill Stakes on Friday, as the Royal Ascot runner-up continued trainer Fozzy Stack’s association with owners Cayton Park Stud.

Runner-up in three previous runs including in the Chesham Stakes in June and at odds of 2/13 favourite at Ayr last month, jockey Seamie Heffernan held the son of St Mark’s Basilica up behind the leaders.

Challenging on the outside, Thesecretadversary improved to lead inside the final furlong to score by a length from Brussels (10/11 favourite).

Stack commented: “His run at Ayr was a mess-up and, while maybe the winner isn’t too bad, they went no gallop and the ground was soft. He had run well in Ascot and backed that up today. He did it well.

“It might be worth taking our chance in those big races now and there’s a Grade 1 (Summer Stakes on September 14th) race for him in Canada on the same day as the National Stakes, which might be an option.

“The horse’s family has been lucky for me and thanks to the Rupert and Magnier families (joint-owners) for sending them all to me. My association goes back to Scream Blue Murder (a Group 3 winner) and I have an older full-sister to Thesecretadversary in training as well.”

Murtagh making waves

Another Royal Ascot runner - the King George V Stakes-fourth Nautical Force, justified strong 8/15 favouritism to win the three-runner Cregan Electrical Ltd. Race, scoring for owner Paddy Woods, jockey Ben Coen and trainer Johnny Murtagh.

While overturned as 1/4 favourite in a four-runner Navan race last month, Nautical Force tracked leader Crypto Force before quickening past that rival to score by two and a quarter lengths. Outsider Wahdan finished last.

Murtagh’s assistant Denis Lenihan reported: “He ran a great race in Royal Ascot where he probably too well in himself and the last day he was too fresh, but it is good to see him come back and do that today. Today’s race was a nice opportunity and he is a horse to look forward to.

“He was down in trip today, but he isn’t a slow horse and anything from this distance to 1m4f is his trip and he is quite versatile. We’ll look at a race on Champions Weekend for him.”

Slattery reveals an Ace

Andy Slattery continued his excellent recent form, as his R Hundred & One Syndicate’s Shahada Ace (5/2 favourite) landed the Don Moloney Plumbing & Heating Ltd. Handicap, under the trainer’s son Andrew Slattery.

Held up behind the leaders, the daughter of Waldgeist quickened clear of her rivals in the final furlong, to score by seven and a half lengths.

Trainer’s Slattery’s brother Willie reported: “She took a long time to come into herself and Andy found a very winnable race. Hopefully, the handicapper won’t lose the run of himself now.

“The owners are from the north and travelled down today. We were hopeful as it didn’t look the strongest race in the world. She has a good pedigree and we are also hoping she will strengthen up into herself.

“She always worked nicely, but was weak, backward and small. It is only in the last couple of months that she has grown and strengthened.”

RACING began with a blistering time of 56.26 seconds for the five-furlongs distance by winner Stella Alpina (4/6 favourite), which scored for owner Clodagh Mitchell, trainer Willie McCreery and jockey Dylan Browne McMonagle.

The Kodi Bear filly made all and, while pressed by Shadow Of The Moon over a furlong out, held on well for a one-and-a-quarter-length win.

McCreery commented: “The six-furlong maidens were running out, so I dropped her back to five here and, in fairness to her, she was due her turn. I think she tries too hard, but is learning to sprint.

“She is 16.2hh and, when she grows into her frame, will be a proper sprinter in time. She is a work in progress and I think next year will be her year.”

Mick off the mark

The following 0-60 rated Junction Gastro Bar & Guesthouse Handicap was completed in a time of 57.60 seconds and saw Ballysax Lil’ Mick shed his maiden status at the 22nd attempt.

Ridden by Killian Leonard, the gelding quickened clear of his rivals in the final furlong to score by a length and a half from Realtin Fantasy.

Winning trainer Katy Brown later reported: “That was a while coming! He ran a really good race in Navan and then I gave young Max Popan his first ride on him in Naas on Monday, when he flew home. Max rode him okay, the horse came out of the race well and I did fancy him today.

“He was always knocking on the door without getting a win, but we have persisted with him and Killian gets on well with him. Liam Tougher (owner) is here today, so I’m delighted for him too.”

TRAINER Paul Flynn was delighted to land the concluding Gain The Advantage Series Ladies’ Handicap, as his winner Ms Messi (25/1) scored under his daughter Ciara Flynn and for long-time family friends, owners Dermot Murphy, a retired trainer, and his wife, breeder Miss Eileen Farrelly.

Initially held up in rear, Ms Messi quickened well in the home straight to score by two and a quarter lengths from Gallo Dell Cielo.

Flynn said “Dermot and Eileen are family friends all my life and, while I was based in England as a jockey, the first pony I ever rode was Dermot’s pony called Mandy. They lived beside us, my father was great friends and my mother still goes over to them.

“I wanted to give up with the mare as she is a bit of a madam, but the owners persevered.

“A lady’s touch obviously worked today and it’s great that Ciara got back in the saddle. It’s her first win for a while, as her old horse Power Drive was sold.”

Blacktype bound

The David Spratt-owned Mallavelley (5/1) gained a third win since joining trainer Ger Lyons this year, as the daughter of Siyouni defeated stablemate Empress Artemis by three-parts of a length to win the Irish Stallion Farms EBF (Fillies) Handicap, under jockey James Ryan.

Following the race, Lyons’ brother and assistant, Shane Lyons, reported: “We’re delighted with both fillies and James got a great feel from Mallavelly today.

“They went a good strong gallop, she loves that top of the ground and loves that distance. She is progressing all the time and obviously with fillies, the objective is to get blacktype. She is a little off it yet, but that would be the ultimate aim.

“Unfortunately, Empress Artemis keeps getting put up for finishing second, so is detrimental to her own success. She is very genuine, but we might now drop her back slightly in distance.”