THE beautifully-bred Jackie Oh gained a valuable blacktype victory when claiming the Group 3 Darley Rathbride Stakes at Gowran Park last Saturday.

Her stamina proved key in the soft ground in the nine-furlong contest as she stayed on best in the closing stages to run out a convincing winner.

Colin Keane asked his mount for an effort turning for home and the 3/1 shot led just inside the final furlong to post a three-length victory over Village Voice.

The winner is a daughter of Galileo and disqualified Guineas winner Jacqueline Quest, making her a full-sister to ill-fated Breeders’ Cup winner Line Of Duty.

With Aidan O’Brien over in Ascot,able representative Chris Armstrong said afterwards: “She’s a filly that has had a few good runs already. The ground, at this stage, is probably important to her. That’s a very important bracket to get with her pedigree.

“A mile and one or a mile and two is probably her trip. We’ll probably give her a bit of time and maybe bring her back on Irish Champions Weekend for something like the Blandford Stakes.

“She could go to France as well, she has plenty of options. She’s a lovely filly and it’s nice to get the win for Triermore Stud as well.”

Keane double

Keane was recording a double on the card having also partnered newcomer Uluru to an impressive win in the opening Irish EBF Auction Series Fillies Maiden.

The Kevin Coleman-trained daughter of Zoffany went to post an 11/1 shot on her debut and swooped inside the final furlong after a tardy start.

She pulled away in style in the closing stages to post a four-and-three-quarter length win over Glamora.

Coleman trains the winner for Atomic Racing and said afterwards: “She’s the pick of the bunch this year. We wanted to start her off, she thought she wanted good ground but when you have the first of the ground it’s never too bad.

“Seven is her minimum. I’d imagine she’ll probably be sold, I’d imagine there will be a few phone calls anyway. We’re here to sell them. She wasn’t wound up for today and I think she’s a nice filly going forward.”

Double for Cody

RAY Cody recorded his first career double on the card courtesy of Lady Lunette and Navagio. The former opened her account in fine style in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Maiden.

Dylan Browne McMonagle produced the 2/1 favourite to lead, travelling well at the two pole in the mile contest, and she kicked clear over a furlong out to record a four and three-quarter length win.

“It’s a local winner and it’s brilliant for the owners (Karen Curtin) as they’ve had no luck for a long time,” said Cody. “She’s a progressive filly, I’d say she’s next year’s filly. She’s a big, tall, raw, filly and I’d say there is loads to come down the line.”

Browne McMonagle was also on board Navagio in the concluding nine-furlong conditions event and he justified good support from 11/1 in the morning into 5/1.

The Ballygallon Stud-owned gelding came to claim 11/8 favourite Didn’thavemuchtodo inside the final furlong and record a head victory.

“That’s my first double, which is mighty. That’s a pleasant surprise with that lad,” said Cody.

“I knew he’d handle the ground no bother and maybe the trip. Dylan said after the last day at the Curragh over seven to maybe go up in trip. On ratings I honestly thought fourth was the best we could do today. He seemed to love a good ease in the ground and the race worked out great for him.

“He’s going to the sales and that’s probably his last run for me.”

Red-letter day for McKenna

BAMBEANO popped up at 28/1 to give Monaghan native Orla McKenna her first career success in the mile fillies’ handicap.

Despite being slowly away the Mark Fahey-trained mare came to lead inside the final furlong and record a length and three-quarters victory over Independent Expert.

“I’m delighted for Orla. The race kind of fell apart a little bit for her and she picked it up. She gave her a great ride,” said Fahey, who also owns the daughter of French Navy.

“Orla is only with me a couple of months, she’s a great girl and she works hard. That’s only her second ride for me and I’m delighted she’s had a winner.”

The following apprentice race produced a thrilling finish with the Andrew McNamara-trained Red Trail just getting the verdict after a photo finish.

There was nothing to split her and Not Just Any Eagle in the closing stages of the nine-furlong contest with Andrew Heffernan’s filly just having her head down at the right time to secure a nose victory under Conor Stone-Walsh.

“Coming today she looked great and seemed to be in great form, she seemed back to herself. I told the owner we were in trouble if we didn’t run well today, luckily she did,” said McNamara.

“Hopefully there will be another day with her on the flat and she’ll go back hurdling at some stage.”

Narrow margin

The first division of the seven-furlong handicap earlier on the card was also decided by the narrowest of margins as Gosford gained a nose success.

Billy Lee led under two furlongs from home on the 11/2 shot and the Eddie Lynam-trained gelding hung on at the line to just see off Designer Cailin.

Lee, in the colours of owner Trevor Dalzell, said: “I was lucky to hold on, it’s tiring ground out there. He did it well and he was tough.

“I’d like to think he could go in again. I’m not sure if he’s in Galway but there should be another day in him no problem.”

In the second division of the race Tracey Collins paid tribute to Cian Mac Redmond after he guided Golden Days to victory.

The 10/1 shot was produced on the outer to lead a furlong from home and beat Trueba by a neck.

“We’re very pleased with her, she battled well. Cian gave her a lovely ride as we were very worried about the ground with her,” said Collins, who trains in partnership with Michael Halford.

“He was very clever, he kept her on the better ground as it’s very chopped up on the inside. Honestly had she not been drawn wide we wouldn’t have run her, which is a rare thing to say about Gowran.”