THE Magners Ulster Derby is becoming something of a favourite target for Jim Bolger who landed the €100,000 prize at Down Royal once again, this time with Clongowes, last Saturday.

The Coolcullen handler had claimed the race last year with Stellar Mass and was making it three out of the last four runnings having also scored with Wexford Town in 2014.

Ronan Whelan produced the well-backed 3/1 favourite (13/2 in the morning) to the lead two furlongs from home in the mile and a half contest.

The Godolphin-owned son of New Approach kept on strongly inside the final furlong as Wingingit ran on to take the runner-up spot, a length and a quarter behind.

“I spoke to the boss and spoke to Kevin Manning last night and they were very sweet about him,” said Whelan. “He’s been hitting the crossbar a lot so it’s nice to get his head in front.

“He’s just a big galloper and he’ll never do anything flashy. That’s why I was always close to the pace as I didn’t want to give him too much to do. He’ll go even further than he did today.

“The boss always seems to line one up for here and he fitted his profile today. He had a couple of good runs and was nicely weighted.

“We had Stellar Mass here last year who went on to be third in the Irish Derby. I know it’s only a handicap but it always takes a nice horse to win this.”

Whelan was completing a quick double on the day having also struck in the preceding Value Cabs Handicap on the John Feane-trained Cappadocia.

He got a dream run around on the rail to challenge a furlong out and the 16/1 shot outbattled Bien Chase in the closing stages for a neck success.

“The draw helped me big time, I didn’t have to spend a penny going around and the breaks came at the right time for him,” said Whelan.

“You only have one go with him and he quickened up and put the race to bed.”

The Coolmore Stud EBF Ulster Oaks saw the in-form Dragon Fei (4/1) swoop on the outer to land the €40,000 contest.

As her rivals got tight on the inner, Dermot McLoughlin’s charge was produced to lead inside the final furlong by Billy Lee and recorded a length and a half success over Cirin Toinne.

Owner David Eiffe, from Ratoath, said: “We were going to take her out this morning (because of the ground) and then I saw Willie McCreery took his out and I said we have only to beat one to get a few pound. So I said we would take a chance.

“She is coming near the end of her racing days. I think we have about six weeks left as she is in foal to Dandy Man. We’ll try and get a little bit of blacktype. She’ll probably be high enough rated to say that she should.”

The Eddie Lynam-trained Miss Power was also produced with a strong charge to lead inside the final furlong and claim the Louis Roederer Handicap earlier on the card.

The 8/11 favourite recorded a cosy two-length victory over Calm Bay in the five-furlong contest and winning rider Robbie Downey reported: “The form of her second (at Navan last time) was very strong with Go Kart being third and then finishing second in a listed race. She briefly hit a flat spot just coming off the elbow after the two.

“Once I got stuck into her she was still plenty green and she is learning and is only going to come on with races. A better run race I think would suit her. She has that turn of foot as well.”

JUSTIFIED FAVOURITISM

The Johnny Murtagh-trained Wolfofbaggotstreet also justified a short price in the opening Rainbow Communications Maiden.

Connor King settled the 8/11 favourite in behind the leaders in the five-furlong contest before leading inside the final furlong for a length and a half victory over My Silver Nails.

“I think he’s an exciting horse,” said Murtagh. “I said to Connor to try and get a lead today because the last day he made the running and got passed by one.

“He said he could have done with them going a little bit quicker. He’s a maiden winner now and I’m absolutely delighted.

“The lads are having a great run in the syndicate (Fitzwilliam Racing).

“He’s a strong hardy type. I’ll step him up in class now next time and see how far he can go. There is a listed race in Tipperary on July 6th.

“I think he can step up to six but we’ll keep him at five at the moment. He’ll have no problem getting six later in the year.”

The Peter Fahey-trained Missguided bounced back to form to claim the Down Royal Handicap over 10 furlongs.

Leigh Roche got a run up the rail to lead a furlong and a half from home and the 4/1 shot kept on well in the closing stages to score by three-quarters of a length.

“You’d have to draw a line through her run the other day (in Naas) and she ran below par,” said Roche. “Today she travelled very well, got a nice run down the rail in the straight and hit the line well.

“If you get stuck wide around here you are losing five or six lengths on the bend the whole time. So if you can get a run up the rail it is an advantage.”

Gustavus Vassa (16/1) looked a promising type when making a winning debut for Andy Oliver in the concluding Irish Stallion Farms EBF Median Auction Maiden.

Chris Hayes produced the newcomer between rivals inside the final furlong and he recorded a game head success over On The Go Again and Wooster.

“He’s a horse I’ve been waiting on for a while. He’s very big, very backward and raw,” said Oliver. “There is a good deal to come. He showed a great attitude and Chris gave him a great ride. I told him he’s going to be inexperienced and you’re just going to have to deal with it in the race.

“He battled well. We always thought this would probably be his minimum but he’s not short of toe.

“They are lovely people that own him (the Graffin family) and they’ve been very supportive.”

Acting Stewards

L. McFerran, C.P. Magnier, Mrs A. Millar, J. Hunt, M.F. O’Donoghue.

Horse To Follow

WINGINGIT (N. Meade) She didn’t get the best of runs in the feature event and should be capable of landing a nice handicap over a mile and a half.