JESSICA Harrington enjoyed another fine afternoon on Wednesday, saddling a double at Fairyhouse including the win of Brick By Brick in the featured Ballyhane Blenheim Stakes.
Shane Foley has been in flying form since turning freelance recently and teamed up with Harrington to land the brace on the card.
Brick By Brick overcame doubts about stamina and ground when making all for a convincing win in the listed event.
The 5/1 shot always looked in control down the straight in the six-furlong contest and only had to be pushed out in the closing stages to record a two-and-three-quarter-length win over 8/11 favourite Gobi Desert.
“He ran in a nursery last time and we thought he had a lot of weight so we held on to him. I don’t think he liked that,” said Harrington.
“Today he just let him flow and he loved it. He was always going easy and got the trip really well. I’m delighted with him. I was a bit worried about the ground and we nearly withdrew him.”
It proved a wonderful 20 minutes for Harrington as she dashed off to watch Beautiful Morning win a listed prize over in Yarmouth.
Her double on course was completed in the claimer by Nearly Famous who streaked clear in the closing stages of the 10-furlong contest.
The 5/2 favourite challenged early in the straight and went on a furlong from home to record a seven-length success.
“She’s a lead horse at home. She wouldn’t have the best puff but that’s why she’s running in these type of races,” said Harrington.
“She’s grand and does what she does. She did the job today and it’s great.”
There was also a double on the card for Jim Bolger and Kevin Manning, who opened their account for the afternoon with Solar Wave in the six-furlong nursery.
The race produce a cracking finish with the 6/1 shot just prevailing by a head from Daliyah at the line.
“She’s very gutsy and we might look at the Birdcatcher with her,” said Bolger.
“She didn’t lick it off the street as she’s out of a Galileo mare who had some training problems.”
Focus On Heaven completed the brace for Coolcullen in the Dandy Man Maiden.
The 4/1 shot was produced to lead inside the final furlong and went on to beat 13/8 favourite Invincible Ryker by two and a half lengths.
“She’s a good filly. I don’t think the ground matters to her and it’s just the way it worked out as she wasn’t ready until now,” said Bolger.
“She had a few little setbacks but has come good in recent times.
“Hopefully we can get some blacktype with her before she goes to stud.”
Covetous is another who will seek some blacktype after her important win in the seven-furlong maiden later on the card.
The Willie McCreery-trained Godolphin filly was soon in front under Billy Lee and kept on well in the closing stages to hold Bay Of Skaill by three-parts of a length.
“She’s probably the best-bred filly here today as her dam, Jealous Again, was Wesley Ward’s first Royal Ascot winner,” said McCreery.
“She’s bred to go on firm ground over five furlongs and she wins on bottomless ground over seven, so you never know.
VALUABLE
“I’m glad to get her head in front because she’s a very valuable filly now with a win under her belt. We’ll try and nudge a bit of blacktype if we can.”
Threeandfourpence was sent off a short-price for the opening six-furlong juvenile maiden and just got home under Seamie Heffernan.
The 1/2 shot stayed on to challenge inside the final furlong and was just ahead at the line to pip Miss Zizi by a short-head.
Trainer Aidan O’Brien said of Evie Stockwell’s colt, “I’m delighted with him. We were a little bit worried about the ground.
“He came forward nicely from his first run and he won’t mind stepping back up to seven. We’ll see how he is and it’s very possible he could run again.”
Bubbly Bellini has proven a terrific servant for his connections and gained a 19th career victory when taking the six-furlong apprentice handicap.
Ross Coakley overcame a wide draw to produced the 13/2 shot at the furlong pole and go on for a one and three-quarter-length win over Prove The Point.
Ado McGuinness, who trains the 10-year-old for Gary Devlin, said afterwards, “He’s a legend of a horse and a brilliant horse to have. I didn’t really fancy him today as he was drawn 18 of 18 and I thought he might struggle but he’s a real warrior.
“We haven’t had the saddle on him much since he ran in Listowel and we’ve had him out in the paddock to keep him happy. He’s in again at Roscommon on Monday and will probably go there if the ground is okay.”
American-based owner John Breslin was on hand to see his gelding Tudor City claim the concluding 10-furlong handicap.
Oisin Orr did the steering on the well-backed 11/4 favourite and Tony Martin’s charge hit the front just inside the final furlong to record a length-and-a-quarter success.
“You couldn’t be happier. He did it well and everything worked out well as John is home to see him,” said Martin.
“He deserved that as he ran a nice race in Galway and things didn’t worked out. Fortunately it paid off today.”
ACTING STEWARDS
J.M. McGrath, C. Cunningham, S. Barry, V. Cooper & P.W. Murtagh.
HORSE TO FOLLOW
MISS ZIZI (J.M. Oxx): She was just edged out in the opener and should be capable of landing a maiden before long.