STATEMENT recorded a quick blacktype double when running out an impressive winner of the Group 3 Coolmore U S Navy Flag Concorde Stakes at Tipperary last Sunday.

Having landed a listed race at Cork the previous Tuesday, the Joseph O’Brien-trained filly turned out again to take the Group 3 prize in style.

Dylan Browne McMonagle, in the colours of the Triumvirate Partnership, was again in the plate and delivered the 5/2 favourite to challenge, travelling well, at the two-furlong pole.

She soon hit the front and quickened away from her rivals over a furlong from home to record a cosy five-and-a-half length win over Current Option.

Assistant Brendan Powell said afterwards: “Dylan was delighted with her, it was even a much improved performance than the other day in Cork.

“It was softer today and Dylan said she actually quickens on that ground, he said he hadn’t realised that he’d won so far.

“It was exciting and she’s a filly going forward. Hopefully there are more options for her.”

Popular

Jesse Evans proved popular in the Grade 3 Horse & Jockey Hotel Hurdle and justified that support with a cosy win.

Noel Meade’s charge was backed from 9/2 in the morning into 7/4 joint-favourite and was given a confident ride by Bryan Cooper.

He produced Jack Singleton’s gelding to challenge two from home in the two-miler and he soon scooted clear to record a four-and-a-half length win over front-runner Effernock Fizz.

Meade revealed afterwards: “Paul Carberry came to me the other day and he said to me ‘you are riding that horse all wrong’. He said to tuck him in and use his speed and that we were throwing races away.

“I know the race fell apart, and the two fancied horses (Jason The Militant and Abacadabras) didn’t run well, but still it was nice to see him quicken up the way he did.

“He’s a nice horse. We might try a graded race with him again and see how we get on. He does like goodish ground and wouldn’t like winter heavy.”

Champ in the making

THE Willie Mullins-trained Champ Kiely made it two from two over timber with a devastating display in the Woodlands House Hotel Novice Hurdle.

Danny Mullins made all on the 4/5 favourite in the Grade 3 contest over two miles and he skipped clear after the second last for an easy four-and-a-half-length win over Brazil.

The Michael Masterson-owned gelding had been a wide margin winner over two miles and five on his jumping debut and the winning rider said afterwards:

“He was very good. He showed his stamina in Galway and backed up that with speed today. He’s ticking a lot of boxes and looks to be going the right way. Off a strong pace he quickened which not many can do.”

Fine jumping

Danny Mullins also got a fine round of jumping out of Authorized Art when he claimed the Grade 3 O’Dwyer Steel Dundrum Novice Chase.

Nicholas Peacock’s gelding also made all in the extended two-mile-three contest and he was in control over the last fence where nearest rival Ash Tree Meadow made a bad mistake and almost unshipped Davy Russell.

The 5/6 favourite could afford to ease down close home to complete the Mullins’ double by nine lengths.

Assistant David Casey said: “He jumped great. It’s a good quick track around here and when you jump like he does it’s a help.

“I think he’ll handle softer ground but obviously he does handle that, maybe he wouldn’t handle very heavy ground.

“We’ll try and make hay and keep going. There is a chance he could end up in the Drinmore but that’s two months away so there might be something in between.

“If he keeps progressing we might give him a chance at it and see how far he can climb the ladder.”

Still celebrating

Some of Mullins’ workforce were celebrating after the bumper despite the yard’s runner Coole Cherry having to settle for second.

The Barry Fitzgerald-trained Jessqueen is owned by a group consisting of some of Mullins’ work riders and the Policy Maker filly proved a game winner in the finale.

Ben Harvey’s mount travelled well to lead over two furlongs from home and found plenty in the closing stages to record a half-length win at odds of 12/1.

“She had a good run in April (sixth at Punchestown) but it rained heavily that day and that probably went against her,” said Fitzgerald.

“She’s probably a stronger filly with the summer off. The lads that own her work in Willie’s (Mullins) and they come in and ride out for me at lunchtime.

“Adam Connolly looks after Galopin Des Champs and Kieran Callaghan is also involved. It’s a big buzz for them and they could all be sacked in the morning! They’ll probably sell her now, that was the plan.”

Garden set for step up in class

THE Aidan O’Brien-trained Covent Garden could tackle top level company after a convincing win in the opening Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden.

Seamie Heffernan was soon in front on the 5/6 favourite in the nine-furlong contest and the Galileo gelding galloped on powerfully down the straight to record a two-and-a-quarter length win.

“He’s a lovely colt, he had two very good runs in his first two maidens,” said stable representative Chris Armstrong.

“Seamus gave him a lovely ride today and he’s stepped up from each run. He’s a horse that could be one for those Group 1s in around three weeks’ time. There are two races over a mile in France and the Vertem Futurity, or you’ve even got the Eyrefield.”

In the other nine-furlong contest on the card, the veteran Saltonstall rolled back the clock to record his eighth career victory.

Ado McGuinness’ charge came with a strong run inside the final furlong, under Adam Caffrey, to record a half-length win over Mister Wilson at odds of 16/1. Assistant Stephen Thorne said: “He’s been an unlucky horse all season but he’s slipped down to a lovely mark.

“They went good and quick today and Adam was super cool on him. We told him to fill him with confidence. There’s life in the old boy yet. I’m delighted for Dooley Thoroughbreds and our sponsors BT O’Sullivan as well. They are strong supporters of the stable. This horse started the whole thing going.”

The other handicap on the card was the Racing TV Handicap Hurdle and it was another tight finish as the Joe Murphy-trained John Cannon got home by a short-head. Conor King, in the colours of Tadhg O’Sullivan, produced the 4/1 shot late to get the better of Tullypole Annie close home.

“I’m delighted with that. Conor said he took the last brilliantly and he keeps finding a bit,” said Murphy. “I suppose he’s been disappointing all along but he’s coming good now.”