BEBHINN confirmed her early season promise when returning from a lengthy absence to land the Blenheim Stakes at Fairyhouse on Tuesday.
Kevin Prendergast’s charge had looked an exciting prospect in the spring but hadn’t seen a racecourse since taking her maiden at Navan in April.
She was sent off an 8/1 shot making her reappearance in the listed contest but travelled much the best to lead two furlongs from home under Chris Hayes. The US-bred daughter of Street Boss kept on well in the closing stages to record a half-length victory over 7/2 joint-favourite Juliette Fair. The other market leader Miss Katie Mae was another half-length back in third.
“That’s why the boss is who he is. This has been the plan for the last six weeks. He could have been tempted with something higher,” said Hayes afterwards. “He told me to keep it simple and straight-forward. She’ll improve a lot. She travelled with such ease and when I gave her a squeeze she blew up a furlong-and-a-half out. Her class got her home.
“It’s some training performance after that length of a break. To leave her off in a paddock and forget about her for two months - genius.”
Owner Jeremy Harley revealed that plans were fluid: “We’re in no hurry with her. She’s done everything Kevin said she would. She has the option of the Cornwallis, which is now run at Newmarket, and there is also a fillies’ listed race at Ascot at the end of next month. She may not run again this year though. It’s a brilliant training performance. It hasn’t been plain sailing and she’s grown and grown. She might not run again this year but she’ll be a nice three-year-old sprinter next year.”
Michael Halford had a good day recording a first and last race double with stable-jockey Shane Foley.
Golden Pearl stuck her head out in the closing stages to make a winning debut in the opening six-furlong maiden on the card. Michael Enright’s daughter of Oasis Dream was produced to lead inside the final furlong by Shane Foley but was followed through by Clear Cut.
The 11/4 favourite pushed her hard in the closing stages but 7/1 shot Golden Pearl held on at the line to record a short-head victory.
“She’s a nice filly and well bred. She was quite backward and we took our time with her,” said Halford. “Michael has been very patient with her. He’s a great man to train for and there is no pressure. We bought her at the Orby sales this time last year and she’s a smart filly.
“She’s done well to do that considering she’s still on the weak side. It’s beautiful ground out there and it’s good to get her out. I’ll talk to Michael but I’d say she’ll do well over the winter and we might leave it at that.”
The 6/1 shot Chestnut Fire completed the brace in the concluding seven-furlong maiden when wearing down The Eyes Have It inside the final furlong for a three-quarters of a length victory.
“His rating entitled him to be there. He’s taking his racing well and getting better with racing,” said Halford. “Dusty tells me he likes good ground so there is no reason he wouldn’t go around Dundalk. He’s lightly raced and very genuine.”
STRONG SUPPORT
Snowy Scene rewarded strong support when landing the six-furlong nursery for Joe Murphy. Pat Smullen produced the 7/2 shot (7/1 in morning) to lead a furlong and a half out and he powered clear in the closing stages for a three-length success.
“We thought he’d win his maiden but things haven’t quite gone his way,” said the trainer’s son Joe. “He’ll go for the Birdcatcher. We felt he might be a little bit low for it and might not get in. Hopefully the handicapper is not too hard on him but in saying that 4 or 5lb would be fine! He’ll handle the ground at Naas and he’ll stay seven furlongs.”
Lily’s Prince was produced to win the apprentice handicap on the card for the second year running by Garvan Donnelly.
Martin Sheridan’s charge prevailed in a tight finish, under Gary Phillips, to record a head victory in the six-furlong contest.
“It was a carbon copy of last year as he was drawn one. We hoped he was coming back to form,” said Donnelly. “He’s ground dependant. He likes it nice, not too quick, and he got the job done again. He was lucky to get the breaks today again. It’s great for Martin who has been a good supporter of mine.”
A future over jumps awaits Saga Bolton after he battled to a half-length success in the claimer on the card.
Kevin Manning produced the 7/2 shot to challenge early in the straight and he got his head in front over a furlong out to beat 2/1 favourite Krissy’s Kisses by half a length.
“He idles a bit in front. He’ll probably go hurdling now - he’ll school anyway,” said winning trainer Tony Mullins. “Kevin thinks hurdling might suit him as it’ll help him concentrate. He’s not dishonest but he just watches everyone’s business but his own.”
Wayne Lordan also predicted a future over hurdles for Hudson’s Bay after his victory in the mile-and-a-half handicap.
Thomond O’Mara’s charge, sent off a 10/1shot, got a nice run up the rail to lead a furlong out and record a length and three-quarter lengths victory in the colours of Bartholomew Murphy.
“He actually ran well the last day. I was talking to Pat (Smullen) beforehand and he said the ground was too deep for him (in Listowel). It was a competitive race though and a good run,” said Lordan.
“He’ll be a nice horse to go hurdling with this winter once the ground isn’t too deep.”