THE regally-bred Unless (6/1) gained a very valuable blacktype success when landing the Listed Michael John Kennedy Memorial EBF Stakes at the Curragh last Sunday.

The Aidan O’Brien-trained filly had been runner-up at Killarney, at the same level, on her previous outing and went one better in the Westerberg colours. Gary Carroll, taking a rare ride for Ballydoyle, was to the fore throughout on the Justify filly and she grabbed the lead over two furlongs from home before staying on strongly in the closing stages to post a length-and-three-quarter success over 5/4 favourite Azazat.

“We’re delighted with her. She always looked like she would get that trip and she’s a typical Justify, wants a classic trip,” said O’Brien.

“She could even get further as Gary said she galloped all the way down to the boards. She’s (Cheveley Park winner and Churchill’s sister) Clemmie’s first foal so she’s a seriously valuable mare.

“She will definitely stay further and the Yorkshire Oaks would be a possibility.”

Grappa Nonino’s future looks set to be in the US after his victory in the QuinnBet.com Handicap.

The 10/1 shot overcame a wide draw, in the mile-six-furlong contest, and came with a strong run inside the final furlong to record a three quarters of a length win over Zileo.

Trainer Dermot Weld said afterwards: “Chris (Hayes) gave him a peach of a ride, he was in the box seat turning for home.

“He did well to get him from a 17 draw across and that was important because I thought there was quicker ground on the far rail, and that’s been evident all day.

“He has a great owner, Gregg Ryan in America. He’ll be enjoying watching the race and his future will be to go to America as a dual purpose horse.”

Island shines in Dylan’s double

DYLAN Browne McMonagle continued a fine run of form with a double on the card which came in the first and last races. He initiated the brace when Navassa Island got on top in the closing stages to record a valuable winning bracket in the opening Irish EBF Median Sires Series Maiden.

The Michael O’Callaghan-trained filly was narrowly denied in Group 3 company on her debut at Naas in May before finishing mid-division in the Albany Stakes at Royal Ascot.

She tracked the front-running She’s Quality on the far rail and wore down that rival inside the final furlong to record a three-quarters-of-a-length win.

“We went to Ascot thinking we had a live one and things just didn’t happen for her, with the way the race panned out,” said O’Callaghan. “That can happen with a two-year-old, being so inexperienced going there.”

“Things didn’t work out the last day again (at Leopardstown) but she’s come out of that, back to six and she’s finished out her race lovely. She’s has blacktype already, she’s won her maiden, so now it’s about trying to win a stakes race. Something like the Firth Of Clyde could be a race for her, she handles a little ease in it.”

Browne McMonagle completed his double when Lady Lunette also lunged late to land the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Handicap.

The Ray Cody-trained filly got on top close to home to beat Bella Blue Eyes and Kayhana by half a length and a neck in a tight finish to the €25,000 contest.

“I’m thrilled with her,” said Cody, who trains the winner for Karen Curtin. “She got 12lb for winning in Gowran last time, which I thought was very harsh and I wasn’t too sure whether she’d be up to that mark.

“That was a proper race, I think it was a very good fillies’ handicap. There were no hiding places and I’m over the moon. She’s next year’s filly. We might give her one more run, we’ll see. She’s a big, raw, tall filly and I think she’s a nice filly going forward.”

Doyle strikes Gold with 40/1 shot

TIM Doyle wasn’t shocked by the victory of Goldmoyne in the Sycamore Lodge Equine Hospital Handicap, despite his starting price of 40/1.

The Galileo Gold colt made most of the running in the seven-furlong contest and kept on well for Sean Bowen in the closing stages to post a length-and-a-half success.

“He has a lot of ability but he’s fairly headstrong,” said Doyle. “He was a handful before the race and I thought he was after boiling over and he was very keen with Sean early in the race.

“He’s very tough, when they come to him he does find. He was going away again at the line. If we could get him to behave himself and do things right he should progress.”

Appeal

Jessica Harrington is also hoping Angelic Appeal can progress after getting off the mark in the La Celia Wines Handicap.

The Alpha Racing-owned daughter of Siyouni came to dispute shortly after the two pole in the 10-furlong heat and got on top inside the final furlong, under Shane Foley, to score by three quarters of a length.

“She’s been threatening to do that. She’s been consistent this year without winning,” said Harrington. “We thought a lot of her last year. Early on last year we thought she was one of our best fillies but the next thing she grew and grew.

“She has a lovely pedigree so hopefully we can win another handicap with her and then see where we go. It would be nice if she keeps progressing.”

Kadeen was another to open his account when making it third time lucky in the Ryans Cleaning Services Irish EBF Median Auction Maiden at the Curragh.

The Aga Khan-owned colt, trained by the partnership of Michael Halford and Tracey Collins, had been third on both previous runs, including over course and distance in late June.

Ronan Whelan’s mount, sent off 5/2 joint-favourite, was prominent throughout and went on passing the two pole. He had to battle late on to hold God Knows by a head.

“We’re very pleased with that, he’s had two nice runs previously and Ronan gave him a lovely ride and went forward,” said Collins.

“Hopefully he’ll progress from there. He’s green but it’s only his third run. He’s a very nice horse.”