REST OF THE CARD
AS expected, the Group 2 Friarstown Stud Sapphire Stakes went for export but it was the incredibly quick Caspian Prince and not compatriot Marsha who landed the spoils.
Last season’s Prix de L’Abbbaye heroine Marsha was a 1/2 shot to improve on her third in last month’s King’s Stand Stakes but she simply could not withstand her lightning-fast rival. A winner of three editions of the Dash at Epsom and the five-furlong record holder at Dundalk, Caspian Prince stopped the clock here at an impressive 57.15s.
As expected, the Tony Coyle-trained son of Dylan Thomas took the field from early on but despite his trailblazing effort he had more than enough in reserve for the closing stages. It seemed as though Marsha had been delivered to pounce in the last furlong but she as she got in front Caspian Prince rallied splendidly and he got back up in the last couple of strides.
“He jumped a bit awkwardly and the saddle shifted but he then got into his rhythm and I just let him bowl along,” stated McDonogh who partnered the eight-year-old for owner Stephen Louch. “When the mare (Marsha) came to me she just seemed to stall and that gave my horse a lot of heart and he kept on very well to get back up.”
REMARKABLE
The remarkable Tithonus wrote yet another chapter in his fascinating story as he added the €100,000 Tote Scurry Handicap to his victory in the Rockingham two weeks previously.
A mere €4,200 purchase at the end of his three-year-old career, this six-year-old has shown a remarkable level of versatility to date as his previous form includes a couple of placings over hurdles. It is over sprint trips that he has found his true vocation though and this was his third premier handicap triumph at the Curragh in the last year.
Tithonus (10/1) was just 4lb higher than when winning the Rockingham and once again set off in front over this extended six furlongs. For much of the race he was kept company by the English raider Snap Shots, who gave him most to do, but Gary Halpin’s mount hit the line with half a length to spare.
“I felt he’d improved for his Rockingham win and it’s unfortunate on Rory Cleary who rode him that day but we took the 3lb off him with Gary and it’s like you’re getting a free 3lb when you put Gary up as he has so much experience,” declared Denis Hogan.
“I’m thrilled for Tony and Michael O’Brien who own him as they have had horses with me from the very start and they have a dream of going to Dubai with him one day. We’ll look at the seven-furlong premier handicap at Galway and later in the season there are races like the Ayr Gold Cup and the handicaps on Irish Champions Weekend.”
For the fourth time in five years, Aidan O’Brien bagged the Jebel Ali Silver Jubilee Anglesey Stakes as the hardy Actress surprised some better fancied rivals to secure a precious Group 3 triumph. A busy recent schedule, which included a trip to Royal Ascot and a second in a Tipperary stakes race last week, showed no signs of taking its toll on the daughter of Declaration Of War who was the fourth choice in the market at 7/1.
Only five went to post for this six-furlong race but the runners ended up spread across the track as the Coventry Stakes fourth Brother Bear once again compromised his chances by drifting left. As a result of his wanderings the odds-on favourite hampered Commander Grigio, while out on the middle of the track the Seamie Heffernan-ridden Actress and Theobald were doing battle.
Early in the last furlong, it became apparent that Actress had this race under control and she went to the line well for a one and three-quarter-length triumph over Theobald who ran very well as his previous outing had seen him win over a mile.
“She is very quick and I had a worry about the longer trip today but she saw it out well. She loved the fast ground,” declared the rider.
THRASHED
The day’s action began with a striking effort from the potentially top-class The Pentagon who thrashed his opponents in the Club Godolphin EBF Maiden over seven furlongs. Aidan O’Brien’s charge was a well-held sixth behind Verbal Dexterity in a maiden over this course and distance last month but a switch to a sound surface showed him in an entirely different light.
The well-backed 9/2 chance was showing in front for Ana O’Brien from an early stage and shortly after halfway he looked to have this race in safe keeping. Over the last quarter of a mile, The Pentagon stretched further and further clear to eventually come home eight and a half lengths ahead of the useful Medal Of Honour.
“He travelled easy and went forward well when I asked him. We didn’t hack along and he picked up well when I asked him to. He enjoyed the better ground,” reported the winning rider.
The Ballydoyle trainer ended the day with a treble for the Coolmore partnership as Air Supremacy made all the running for Seamie Heffernan in the Heffernan Tyres Maiden.
Only five lined up for this mile and a half race and Air Supremacy was a 9/10 chance to improve on two second place finishes over the previous fortnight. The Galileo colt stuck to his task well for the duration of the straight to come home a length and three-quarters ahead of Ringside Support.
Severus (4/1) made up for a narrow defeat here on Derby weekend with a last gasp triumph in the seven-furlong K Club Handicap. Off a 9lb higher rating than the one he won off at Limerick last month, Severus moved into a closing fourth for Pat Smullen with a furlong to run. However, it was only in the last few strides that the William Flynn-owned gelding found a way past the game course and distance specialist Have A Nice Day.
“He raced a bit lazy today and Pat felt that maybe the ground was as quick as he wants,” reported trainer Des Donovan. “He’s a genuine horse who is in great form at the moment and we’ll see if there is something at Galway for him.”
A memorable 12 months for Lisa O’Neill yielded another victory to cherish as she recorded her second success in the Boodles Ladies Derby Handicap aboard the Denise Foster-trained Miles To Memphis (9/2).
The successful rider, who can count a Kerry National win and a Cheltenham Festival triumph among her victories in the last year, produced the Jules Sigler-owned Miles To Memphis with a sustained effort in the straight.
The front-running Breathe Easy fought on tenaciously when pressed but he had to give best over the course of the last furlong.
“Lisa gave him a great ride,” reported the trainer. “He got a nice lead, which was important, and he coped well with the mile and a half as I was worried if he’d have enough pace for this trip. The plan is now the amateur riders’ handicap at Galway.”
Jockey bans
COLM O’Donoghue, who rode Brother Bear, picked up a one-day careless riding ban in the Anglesey Stakes, and Luke Morris was given a two-day whip suspension for his efforts on Marsha in the Sapphire Stakes.
ACTING STEWARDS
N.B. Wachman, M.J. Doyle, R. Dore, O. Kearney, P.D. Matthews
Horse To Follow
THEOBALD (J.S. Bolger): He made a winning debut in a mile maiden at Leopardstown last month and coped well with a marked drop in distance to finish second to Actress. Back in trip he could be a major force in some quality races.