PLEASCACH showed that she will be a major force at the highest level of the fillies’ middle distance division this summer as she stormed to an impressive success in the Group 3 Irish National Stud EBF Blue Wind Stakes to cap a treble for Jim Bolger and Kevin Manning.
After a comeback second in last month’s Salsabil Stakes the Jackie Bolger-owned filly produced a display of the highest quality in this 10-furlong contest. This performance opens up a whole range of options for her and thrust her to the forefront of the Oaks picture, although the trainer did indicate that his charge is far from certain to journey to Epsom.
In a race run at a decent pace, Pleascach (10/11) was niggled along nearing the straight to close up on the leaders. The daughter of Teofilo responded in style and loomed up travelling strongly with over a quarter of a mile to run, at which stage Zannda and Euphrasia were in the front rank. When she was asked to shake off Zannda, Pleascach did so with real authority and she stretched clear to win by eight and a half lengths.
“She’s a lovely straight forward filly and she’s come on a nice bit from Navan. I don’t think that a mile and a half will be a problem,” said Bolger.
“I’ve some decisions to make now. She could go back to a mile (in the Irish 1000 Guineas) or step up to a mile and a half; she’s in the Ribblesdale Stakes and the Irish Oaks. She’s also in the Epsom Oaks but that wouldn’t be certain. The Ribblesdale and then the Irish Oaks is probably the most likely route.”
A Coventry Stakes bid is on the agenda for Bolger’s Round Two who looked a juvenile of some promise in making a winning debut in the six-furlong conditions race. This race attracted last month’s impressive course winner Argentero (9/10) and he led a quarter of a mile from home, at which stage the Godolphin-owned Round Two (3/1) had emerged as a live threat. Despite his inexperience, Round Two picked up smartly to launch a sustained bid that saw him prevail by a length a half.
“He’s very straight forward and he’s a quick learner. I’d see him as a Coventry horse and I wouldn’t be worried if he didn’t run again beforehand. I think he’ll go on any ground,” declared Bolger.
TREBLE
Novis Adventus, who disappointed at odds on in a heavy ground Sligo maiden earlier in the month, completed the treble in the 10-furlong colts and geldings maiden. The Jackie Bolger-owned colt (5/1) dictated the pace from an early stage and he easily shook off Sight Hound in the last quarter of a mile to finish with three lengths to spare.
“He stays well and he’ll be a lovely jumping prospect in time,” reflected the trainer.
For the second year in succession, Aidan O’Brien secured the €50,000 six-furlong Woodlands 100 Club Handicap with The Happy Prince (7/4) who shrugged off top weight to earn a rise in class. Joseph O’Brien sent the Rip Van Winkle colt to the front from early on and The Happy Prince kept his rivals at bay throughout the last two furlongs. He did shift right near the finish, although this was not at all as pronounced as when winning his maiden at Limerick and he crossed the line with half a length to spare over Penny Pepper.
“I wasn’t sure about coming back to this trip but he’s got plenty of speed. He’s just a bit funny when he gets there,” commented O’Brien. “Six or seven furlongs looks his trip and he’s improving with racing. He could came here for the Group 3 Lacken Stakes over six furlongs next month.”
MAGICIAN’S SISTER
O’Brien then added to his tally with Magician’s sister Outstanding (5/2) in the EBF-sponsored fillies’ maiden over a mile to build on two solid efforts in the autumn. Seamus Heffernan’s mount helped to make much of the running and had little difficulty putting her rivals to the sword in the last furlong and a half. She defeated the newcomer Catalyst by two and a quarter lengths.
Rue Bonaparte is set to move up to stakes level as she built on her debut second to Madam Thunder with a willing success in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Maiden. The Lady O’Reilly-owned daughter of Dark Angel, who recovered well after going right when jumping off, moved into the lead a quarter of a mile from home.
Over the course of the last furlong the 6/4 favourite knuckled down well for Chris Hayes and she always seemed to be doing enough to contain the well backed Californiadreaming by half a length. The first four home were covered by a length and three quarters.
“I’d say it wasn’t a bad race and she’ll be back here for the Coolmore Stud Fillies Sprint Stakes at the start of June,” stated Kevin Prendergast. “She went forward from her first run and that’s the sort of ground that she likes.”
The seven-furlong apprentice handicap served up a 50/1 shock as Bootsandbars, who finished last over a mile and a half at Gowran Park last time, gave jockey Conor McGovern his third winner.
The Michael Fahey-owned four-year-old raced on the pace throughout but it was only as the line loomed that he overhauled Dandy Steps. Oor Jock, who had travelled notably well to get into contention, couldn’t quite sustain his effort in the closing stages and was a further half length back.
“It was a little bit of a surprise but he was working well at home. The step up in trip last time was the wrong decision,” observed Peter Fahey. “Andrew Leigh was riding him at home and he had a little confidence in him coming here and Conor gave him a great ride.”
Trainers’ plans
JIM Bolger confirmed that the Coronation Stakes would be next for his English 1000 Guineas second Lucida.
Aidan O’Brien put forward Found, the impressive Leopardstown winner Kissed By Angels and Qualify as his likely team for next weekend’s Irish 1000 Guineas.
The Ballydoyle trainer’s promising Navan maiden winner Fluff is unlikely to be seen until the autumn owing to a setback while Words, who won a high class maiden on Derby weekend last year, may make it back to the track for Royal Ascot.
Acting Stewards
N.B. Wachman, Mrs J.O. Onions, R. Hall, R. McSharry, P.D. Matthews
HORSES TO FOLLOW
CATALYST (P. Twomey): This daughter of Makfi and the Moyglare Stakes winner Bianca Nera showed that a maiden success would be well within her reach when chasing home Outstanding in the fillies maiden. She should progress well off this debut run.