ROYAL Ascot candidate Measure Of Magic further bolstered her status as an emerging force in the sprint division as she made short work of her opponents in the Listed Goffs Polonia Stakes.

This Johnny Murtagh-owned and trained daughter of Kodi Bear began her season with a taking success in the Listed Committed Stakes at Navan last month. She switched to fillies only company for this assignment, over five-and-a-half-furlongs, and was much the best horse on show.

Ascot’s Commonwealth Cup would represent quite the step-up in the class for the evens favourite but she is well worth her place in the line-up as this was an impressive effort.

She was firmly in charge as the last furlong loomed and she finished out her race with great purpose to score by three and a half lengths from Russian River.

“The plan was to come here after Navan. Jamie who rides her out every morning said she was better today and it was over in two strides,” said Murtagh.

“I think she will go straight to Ascot now and Ben felt that she has really learned how to sprint.”

Pacey Strapped

The evening began with a taking effort from the Jim Bolger-trained juvenile Strapped (16/1) in the Irish EBF Median Sires Series Maiden over the minimum trip. This Jackie Bolger-owned son of Dawn Approach was a well held sixth behind Cadamosto at Dundalk on his debut last month but he left that effort well behind. He travelled powerfully on the pace for Kevin Manning from the outset, held a definite lead before halfway and went to the line strongly to defeat the 9/4 joint-favourite Amalfi Coast by two and a half lengths.

“We liked him going to Dundalk but he was just very green. He’s improved a lot at home since that run and he was good there. He’s a strong horse with plenty of pace and he will get further in time,” remarked Manning.

Bopp’s progress

Hale Bopp (9/2) produced a nice effort as the three-year-old son of Belardo defeated a field of largely older opponents in the apprentice riders’ handicap over a mile.

The Lynne Lyons, Sean Jones and David Spratt-owned colt was rated 82 after performing to a nice standard in three runs last year and he returned in fine shape for his first run since December.

Sam Ewing’s mount was showing in front early in the last furlong and he stuck to his task well to defeat Overheer by two lengths. He can progress further this summer.

A TRACK that long been a happy hunting ground for Dermot Weld yielded another big pot for the Rosewell House trainer Hightimeyouwon produced the performance of his career at a most opportune time to bag the €80,000 Mallow Handicap.

On a day when his yard also sent out the winner of the Chester Cup, the Newtown Anner Stud-owned five-year-old was returning to a course and distance over which he had shaped very well just a couple of weeks previously.

Under apprentice Mikey Sheehy, the winner enjoyed a smooth run through the race on the stand’s side rail which is where the race unfolded over the last couple of furlongs. Hightimeyouwon (10/1) held a definite but narrow lead inside the last furlong and held on bravely to contain the late challenges of Fill The Power (ridden by Sheehy’s brother Danny) and Real Appeal by a head and the same.

“He had a wide draw so it worked out well and we got a lovely toe into the race. I could have held on to him a little longer but had no other choice but to go and, in fairness to him, he put the race to bed. I’m very grateful to Mr Weld for this opportunity,” declared the winning rider.

Tight Barrier

There was an even tighter finish to the 45-65 rated handicap over seven-furlongs as Jm Barrier (9/1), who looked to have it all to do entering the last quarter of a mile, charged home for Oisin Orr to claim victory in the final yards.

The McGettigans Management Services-owned and David Marnane-trained gelding got home by a short head from Navorrosse with Tipperary Moon the same distance back in third.