THE margin of victory might have been tighter than many expected but as is the wont of good horses, Pearls Galore got it done when it mattered to claim the first Group 2 success of her career in the Lanwades Stud Stakes.

The Haras de Saint Pair-owned dual Group 1 runner-up was an 8/11 chance to build on her successful comeback in last month’s Heritage Stakes and travelled powerfully throughout this mile contest for Billy Lee.

However, there was momentary concern for Paddy Twomey’s charge inside the last furlong as it was clear that the always prominent Emphatic Answer would take plenty of subduing. The outcome still hung in the balance 100 yards from home but Pearls Galore had further reserves to call upon when it mattered most and she pulled out that bit more nearing the finish to score by a neck.

“I’m delighted with that. She’s tough and genuine and always just does what she has to,” reflected Twomey whose five-year-old has come a very long way since starting off in the comparatively modest surrounds of a Limerick maiden in July 2020.

“The owner would be very keen to go to Ascot but we have other options. The Falmouth, the Rothschild, the Matron, the Foret and the Breeders’ Cup Mile are all there for her in the second half of the season and I’d be inclined to stick to fillies and mares’ company for the time being.”

Jessica Harrington got amongst the winners for the weekend when a back to form Nectaris claimed the William Hill-sponsored three-year-old fillies handicap over a mile.

The 18/1 chance was dropping significantly in class after contesting a Group 3 last time and produced a resolute effort from the front under Nathan Crosse. From well over a furlong out the Alpha Racing-owned filly was being strongly pressed by the top-weight Juncture – also dropping in grade after contesting the English 1000 Guineas - but the latter just could not find a way past and went down by half a length.

Blacktype

“She stayed going very well. She’s tough and loved that little ease in the ground. That was a lovely pot and I’d like to get blacktype with her now,” commented the trainer.

The Guineas Festival concluded with another winner for Moyglare Stud, this one trained by Aidan O’Brien, as Kiss You Later (8/1) pounced late under Seamie Heffernan in the William Hill Bet Boost Irish EBF Fillies Maiden over 10 furlongs.

The winner wasn’t that far off the pace turning in but still had at least five rivals to pass heading into the last quarter of a mile. When Heffernan got her into the clear though she finished off with great purpose to sweep to the front and prevail by a length and a half.

“She stays well and it looks as though a mile-and-a-half may suit her. This weekend works well for Royal Ascot and she may go there next,” stated O’Brien.

THE day began with what looked a strong edition of the Tally Ho Stud Irish EBF Fillies Maiden which contained plenty of notable newcomers and it was one of those, Zarinsk (8/1), who emerged victorious.

This Juddmonte-owned Ger Lyons inmate produced a likeable effort from the front in this six-furlong affair. She was professional and assured at all stages for Colin Keane and turned away several menacing efforts over the last couple of furlongs to reach the line a neck ahead of the promising Olivia Maralda with Never Ending Story running a lovely race to lie a further half-length back in third.

“She’s a lovely filly who hasn’t come in her coat yet and I think there’s buckets of improvement in her. She’s an exciting filly to have,” commented Lyons.

“I thought she had to do it the hard way there and she’ll be better on nicer ground. There’s no rush with her and I’ll let her tell me when she’s ready to run again.”

Lyons and Keane promptly followed up with the three-year-old Pirate Jenny (5/2) in the William Hill Acca Club Irish EBF Fillies Handicap over six-furlongs.

The 88-rated daughter of Exceed And Excel was making just her third appearance and her first since winning a Cork maiden last September.

Good speed

Pirate Jenny showed good speed to take along the group on the stand’s side and she then sustained that effort to assume the overall lead inside the distance and defeat Beautiful Sunshine by three-parts of a length.

“If she is up to getting blacktype we felt she should be up to winning this. “She did have a little hold up in the spring and she will improve from this,” declared Lyons whose charge is owned by his wife Lynne, Sean Jones and David Spratt.

Treble

Colin Keane then made it a treble aboard Additional who gave trainer Sarah Lynam her biggest success to date in the €50,000 Irish Stallion Farms EBF Habitat Handicap over the six furlongs.

A capable sprinter in Britain last year and bought at the Tattersalls Autumn Horses In Training Sale in October, the half-brother to Aclaim began his career in Ireland with a good second place to Blairmayne at Naas last month.

The 9/1 chance, who is owned by the trainer’s uncle John, showed the benefit of that run as he looked comfortable sitting just off the pace before leading at the furlong pole and then holding the late effort of Mickey The Steel by a neck.

“We thought he had potential when we bought him. I was hoping he might win in Naas last month but he was a bit fresh and maybe needed the run and Blairmayne who beat him that day has really franked the form since then,” reported the trainer.