NOEL Meade’s Caught U Looking signed off in style when winning the Listed Irish Stallion Farms EBF Bluebell Stakes (Fillies & Mares) at Naas on Sunday.

Having her final start for the Meathman ahead of a date at the sales, the Anthony O’Callaghan and Sabina Kelly owned 16/5 favourite won easily by four lengths under Colin Keane.

Meade later said: “I was undecided whether to run her again, as you’re always worried this time of the year after being on the go for a long time. She deserved that win and has never run a bad race all year.

“A lot of people were doubting that she would stay, but Colin has been saying all along that not only does she stay, but she wants further. I said to him going out to ride her whatever way you want.

“I’m delighted as she’s off now to the December Sale and that’s her last run. She’s a valuable enough commodity as a broodmare or as a race mare. I’m sure she’ll sell well and the best of luck to her.

“I’ll be sorry to see the back of her, but that’s the way it goes, and we’ll have to get another one.”

Garnet Stakes

Azada won the other listed race on the day when staying on strongly under Chris Hayes to land the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Garnet Stakes (Fillies & Mares).

Carrying the colours of H H Aga Khan, the 9/2 chance led over a furlong out, keeping on to win by two lengths.

Trainer Dermot Weld reported: “It was important that she won that race. She ran a very good race in the (Irish 1000) Guineas and won well as a two-year-old. She handles that ground well. It’s on the slow side, but that’s what she likes.

“I would like to have given her a prep run before the Irish Guineas, but the way the programme was this year, the classic trial was only two weeks before the Guineas and I like to have three weeks before a Group 1.

“The nine and a half furlongs might have been a little too far for her the last day in Gowran. She had been working well and I thought she might be hard to beat today.

“Chris gave her a lovely ride, he was in the right place at the right time, and she idled a bit in front, so that’s why he had to keep her up to it. She’s a very big filly and there is a possibility that she may be kept in training next year, but that’s all for future discussion.

“The way she won there, you would think there is every possibility she could win a group race next year. That will be it for this year.”

Fiona proves fighting fit

NATHAN Crosse partnered Fiona Maccoul to win the Irish EBF Auction Series Race Final for Jessica Harrington and owners Syndicates Racing.

Sent off 11/1, the filly stayed on well inside the final furlong to prevail by half a length.

Harrington said afterwards: “She’s a real tough filly and a light weight in those races makes a big difference. That was the plan to get out and be prominent from her low draw.

“Nathan said he got it handy in front, which was great. She learned a lot in Bellewstown, which was too sharp and she got unbalanced over the road. She stuck at it very well today and I’d say she’ll get a mile.”

Favourite

Wayne Lordan and Aidan O’Brien landed the Tifrums Irish EBF (C & G) Maiden with 2/9 favourite Bounty.

Leading over two furlongs out, the Smith/Magnier/Tabor-owned colt won by four-and-a-half lengths. Lordan said: “He’s a nice colt and stepped forward from his run in the Curragh.

“He finds that pace easy, so he’s going to be a quick horse. He’s showing that at the moment. He handles that ground fine, and he feels like he’ll handle quick ground as well.”

Bear Profit came home in front in the TRM - From Ireland To The World Apprentice Handicap under Darragh O’Sullivan. Owned by the Purosangue Racing Syndicate, the 4/1 chance stayed on well to win by half a length.

Trainer Gerard O’Leary said: “The jockey excelled. The two in front set a nice target and he was able to pick them off. He was in great form coming into it and we left the cheekpieces off, because he was flying at home.

“He’s on 69 (rating today) and I presume we’ll look for a 0-75 before the end of the year, if we can.”

Comfort in the Zone to land gamble

COMFORT Zone landed a gamble from 12/1 into 4/1 favourite, when winning the Colm White Bookmaker Beggar’s End Handicap (Premier Handicap) for Joseph O’Brien and Dylan Browne McMonagle.

Owned by J.P. McManus, his racing manager Frank Berry said of the one-and-three-quarter length winner: “He rode him for a bit of luck and he gave him a lovely ride. He was a little bit disappointing in the Cesarewitch, where he came there with a chance two down and didn’t get home, but he stayed well today.

“It’s a lovely race to win and you will probably see him back over hurdles somewhere during the winter. He likes that ground today.”

O’Brien and McMonagle were completing a double, having won the opening Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Maiden with Miracle Beauty.

The Mark Dobbin-owned 5/4 favourite kept on well to lead close home for a half-length success.

Dylan Browne McMonagle reported: “She’s still very raw, a big baby. She travelled good for the first half, but she’s still learning. She’ll be a nice filly next year.”

Four-timer

Andrew Slattery’s Cloud Seeker completed a four-timer when winning the concluding Tote Never Beaten By SP Handicap.

Making most under Andrew Slattery jnr, the 9/2 chance held Lord Church by half a length. Slattery senior said of the Pat Garvey-owned gelding: “He’s a nice, improving horse. I’m trying to convince the owner to let me run him in the Leopardstown October Handicap next Saturday, but I think he’ll probably be finished for the season now.

“He’s something to look forward to and he’s brilliant to jump as well. Andrew said he’s idling in front and he’s probably still ahead of the handicapper, as he’s only barely doing enough.

“It isn’t easy to win four in a row and we might have a bit of fun in good handicaps next year.”