Benjis Benefit

(Denis Hogan)

Leopardstown, June 20th

Benjis Benefit made the odds-on Williamstowndancer work hard before eventually giving best in the concluding mile and seven-furlong QR Maiden at Leopardstown last Thursday.

Prominent throughout, the 40/1 outsider looked set to cause a bit of an upset early in the straight but had no answer to the 5/6 favourite close home.

A winner over hurdles on his recent stable debut, the Denis Hogan-trained six-year-old looks a horse to keep on side under both codes over the next few months.

Greek Flower

(John Feane)

Down Royal, June 21st

She’s Quality justified favouritism in the five-furlong handicap at Down Royal on Friday evening but runner-up Greek Flower looked the one to take from that particular race. A dual winner last season, the John Feane-trained five-year-old would almost certainly have made the eventual winner work harder had she got the gaps when it mattered.

Trapped on the rail, seemingly full of running, over a furlong out, Mikey Sheehy had to sit and suffer on the 12/1 chance before bursting through between rivals to take minor honours inside the last 100 yards.

Thrifty Of Digby

(Jessica Harrington)

Limerick, June 22nd

Thrifty Of Digby shaped with plenty of encouragement when a staying on third on her handicap debut over seven furlongs at Limerick on Saturday.

The Profitable filly looked to be going nowhere over a furlong out but once the penny dropped, she kept on nicely under Keithen Kennedy to reach the frame. With the benefit of that experience, the three-year-old should be a different proposition next time.

Stepping up an additional furlong may also suit the filly. Having been dropped a pound despite showing definite promise, she remains eligible for the bottom grade.

Radar Ahead

(Joseph O’Brien)

Ballinrobe, June 24th

Considering she reared and lost valuable ground from stalls, the Joseph O’Brien-trained Radar Ahead made a very pleasing racecourse debut over nine furlongs at Ballinrobe on Monday evening. Detached after a furlong, jockey Chris Hayes gave the newcomer every chance to find her feet and get back into contention.

Still last over two furlongs out, the daughter of Postponed stayed on in eye catching fashion to finish a never nearer third of 12. Provided she can break on terms next time, the filly should prove very hard to beat in similar company.

Irish Ballet

Henry de Bromhead

Naas, June 26th

While the Aidan O’Brien-trained Merrily justified 4/6 favouritism in the opening five-furlong fillies’ maiden at Naas on Wednesday, third-placed Irish Ballet was the one to catch the eye. Despite making her second racecourse appearance, the Henry de Bromhead-trained filly showed signs of greenness in the early stages, while also finding herself short of room over a furlong out.

Staying on strongly once in the clear, the 18/1 chance kept on to get within two and a quarter lengths of the winner. The daughter of Mehmas should prove difficult to beat on her third run.