KEENELAND PHOENIX

STAKES (GROUP 1)

FOR the 13th time in his career Aidan O’Brien landed the first Group 1 of the year for two-year-olds in Europe as Dick Whittington coped best with the soft ground to claim the Keeneland Phoenix Stakes.

An initial field of nine headed by the Queen Mary Stakes winner Anthem Alexander was declared for the six-furlong race. However, a marked deterioration in the ground from good to yielding at declaration time to soft after the first race on the card saw the field reduced in size by a third. Anthem Alexander was the first to come out and then O’Brien halved his representation by scratching War Envoy and The Great War.

The latter’s defection meant that Joseph O’Brien switched to Dick Whittington who provided the jockey with his first triumph in this race as he bravely fought off the odds-on English raider Kool Kompany.

As he looked to become the first horse in 11 years to complete the Anglesey Stakes-Phoenix double, Dick Whittington was allowed to go off at 6/1 and for much of the race he looked on from a share of third with Kool Kompany.

When the front-running I Am Beautiful gave way in the last quarter of a mile, Cappella Sansevero took over in front and it was at this point that Kool Kompany angled off the rail to make his bid and bumped Dick Whittington several times, pushing him out into the middle of the track.

O’Brien’s mount looked to be coming off third best in the battle for victory but he was still at his strongest over the last 200 yards. Dick Whittington found a way past Kool Kompany in the last 100 yards and kept on well to score by half a length. The favourite just held off a rallying Cappella Sansevero for second while Beach Belle was a further two lengths back in fourth.

“He’s a very tough and hardy horse and he stays well. At the time we felt that he didn’t stay the seven furlongs when he was third in the Chesham at Ascot but with the benefit of hindsight I’d say that we ran him back a little quick after he won at Navan the previous week,” said O’Brien. “Looking at that you’d say that a mile should not be a problem for him.”

“His sire (Rip Van Winkle) was dead genuine and it’s good to see that coming through in his progeny too. He’s had plenty of racing already for a young horse so he could have a break and then come back later in the autumn.”

REST OF THE CARD

ON a day that produced its share of big priced winners the Tommy Stack-trained Scream Blue Murder made a resounding return to form to spring a 20/1 surprise in the Group 3 Phoenix Sprint Stakes.

With conditions looking ideal for Maarek, last year’s Prix de l’Abbaye hero dominated the betting at even-money whereas the former listed winner Scream Blue Murder, who hadn’t been at her best lately, was allowed to go off at 20/1. Pat Smullen stepped in for the ride with Wayne Lordan on duty in Deauville.

Scream Blue Murder tackled the front-running Hamza with over a furlong to run and she led around 150 yards out before a three quarters of a length success over the staying-on Jamesie. On his first outing for two months, Maarek was struggling from some way out and had to settle for fifth.

“She likes that ground and she toughed it out very well,” commented Fozzy Stack, whose father trains the winner for Gaynor Rupert and Sue Magnier. “She’ll probably go for the Renaissance Stakes back here in a couple of weeks followed by the Flying Five on Champions Weekend.”

The card began with a performance of real promise from John F Kennedy in the one-mile Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden. The brother to Tapestry was second to Hall Of Fame when odds-on for his debut at Leopardstown last month but he was an entirely different proposition here. He cruised through the race under Joseph O’Brien and led well over a furlong from home before stretching clear in leisurely style. At the line, the 11/8 favourite was a dominant four and three-quarter lengths winner over Pincode.

“Physically he’s there but mentally he has a bit of growing up to do. He never really raced the first day but obviously he’s very smart,” reported O’Brien.

A 50/1 surprise was lying in wait in the Loder EBF Fillies Race as Andy Oliver’s Run The Red Light improved markedly from her eighth to Legatissimo at Galway to win well. A step up to pattern level now beckons for the daughter of Alfred Nobel who made all the running under Fran Berry.

Run The Red Light had her rivals in some trouble with over a furlong to run and she finished with three and a quarter lengths to spare over Tamadhor who was second in that same Galway maiden.

“She’s a lovely, big, rangy filly who we have always liked and she’s come on a heap for her run at Galway,” remarked Oliver who also owns the winner. “She is in the Debutante Stakes back here later in the month and she could go there next.”

Oliver sent out another good priced winner when No Dominion (16/1) struck in the Kerry Businesswomen’s Network Handicap after which the trainer paid generous tribute to the winning rider Chris Hayes.

A 19,000gns purchase at last month’s July Sale, No Dominion relished the conditions and the front-runner had poached a commanding lead over the field entering the last couple of furlongs. Gone Viral emerged from the pack to close him down late on but was still a length and three quarters adrift at the line.

“He’s owned by Frankie Campbell who is new to the yard and I’m delighted for him and full credit goes to Chris,” reflected Oliver. “After he rode him last week at Galway, Chris was adamant that the Curragh was the place for him and he said he was going to be positive on him. He also got the horse on the best of the ground.”

Fran Berry also ended the day with a double as he followed his success on Run The Red Light by claiming the seven-furlong Gabriel Curran Memorial Handicap on Port Merrion (5/1) who was improving on a string of placed efforts.

Trained by Jessica Harrington and carrying the colours of her late husband, Johnny, the Intense Focus gelding was one of just a handful that ever got meaningfully involved here. Over the course of the last furlong the race developed into a straight duel between Port Merrion and the front-running Yava and the former dug deep to carry the day by a neck.

“He’s been knocking on the door and deserved that. He loved the ground,” reported Mrs Harrington.

Elusive Ice relished her first outing on soft ground as she ran out a cosy winner of the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Handicap. The four-year-old was going nicely in behind the leaders with over a furlong to run and she picked up well when Leigh Roche produced her to make her challenge. The 5/1 chance passed the favourite Big Bad Lily inside the distance to win by a comfortable two lengths. Elusive Ice carries the colours of Cleo Acham who recently passed away.

“I’m thrilled she’s won for my longest serving owners. Unfortunately Cammy passed away a few weeks ago but I was talking to her husband last night and I’m very pleased that she’s won today,” remarked Lynam.