JUNCTURE bookended her season with listed victories at Dundalk when claiming the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Cooley Stakes at the all-weather venue last Friday night. The Ger Lyons-trained filly had won the Patton Stakes back in March and doubled her stakes tally when running out a convincing winner in another mile contest.

Colin Keane settled the Dark Angel filly mid-division, in first-time blinkers, before producing her to lead a furlong from home. The Juddmonte-owned three-year-old soon settled matters, going on for a two-and-a-quarter-length win over Voice Of Angels.

“That was lovely. We obviously thought a lot of her and it’s all about the ground,” said Lyons. “I think she has gotten stronger. She’s a rock-solid Group 3 horse and if we had the blinkers on her in Leopardstown she probably would have won.

“She obviously loves this place but I think we’ve run out of road here. We were talking about putting her away for the paddocks and you’d think that she’d have to be a Group 3 or Group 2 horse to justify staying in training. She’s a valuable filly.”

Late challenge

Keane was recording a double on the night having also landed the opening five-furlong maiden on the Michael O’Callaghan-trained Lokada. The Exceed And Excel filly appreciated the better surface as she led over a furlong out and held the late challenge of newcomer Ha Ha Gloria by a neck.

O’Callaghan said of the 3/1 winner: “She shows plenty of boot at home but she’s one that’s taken plenty of time. “She’s an out-and-out five-furlong filly. We might see if there is something else up here for her over the winter because she wants nice ground. If not, we’ll put her away until next year.”

Heffernan doubles up on classy pair

SEAMIE Heffernan bagged a short-priced double on the card, for boss Aidan O’Brien, with the first leg of his brace, Beginnings, the most impressive winner of the night in the first division of the fillies maiden. The daughter of Lord Kanaloa and brilliant race-mare Winter went to post an 8/11 shot having shaped with promise when fourth on her debut at Naas.

She was soon in front in the seven-furlong contest and kicked clear from the two marker to post a comprehensive six-length win over Sweetest Rose. Heffernan was understandably impressed and said: “She has a classy pedigree and she felt very classy. She’s big, clear winded, has pace and she galloped out through the winning post. She was very impressive. Without doubt she’ll be at least a stakes filly.”

Narrow lead

Bertinelli completed the double in the colts and geldings maiden over a mile but had to work to get the job done at odds of 1/5. Heffernan drove his mount into a narrow lead over a furlong from home and he held the late challenge of newcomer Pivotal Revive by a neck. The winning jockey felt the winner wasn’t seen at his best after getting a knock early in the race: “He’s a very smart horse. After going about two or two-and-a-half furlongs he lost his back-end and I see a mark on his hock there.

“I’m a huge fan of the Justifys. He’s very weak and he still has the ability to run well and win. I think he’s got a lot of potential. If he hadn’t got struck into behind I suspect he would have been very impressive.”

Coen also on the double

BEN Coen was another to visit the winners’ enclosure a couple of times on the night and teamed up with boss Johnny Murtagh to bag his first success with Mere Accountant in the second division of the fillies’ maiden. The Dark Angel filly had proven no match for Dame Kiri on her racecourse debut when staying on into second at Naas and stepped up from that run.

She came to fight it out with Sound Of The Night over a furlong from home and got the better of that rival late on for a half-length win at odds of 8/1. Coen, in the colours of owner Michael O’Flynn, said: “She won a barrier trial here and she had a good run in Naas over six which was probably a bit short for her.

“She came out of that really well. She jumped today, and travelled, and to be fair to her when the second horse came to me she really put her head down and fought for me. She’s genuine and she tries hard so hopefully she can keep going the right way.”

Coen delivered Howyoulikethat with a well timed run to claim the €22,000 William Hill Handicap later on the card. The Hilary McLoughlin-trained gelding came to lead inside the final furlong in the mile contest and recorded a length success over Walhaan.

Martin Ferris, the trainer’s partner, said: We’re delighted, the key to him is a good gallop as he relaxes then. The draw wasn’t a concern because he needs to be dropped in. He showed a good turn of foot there today. It was a nice pot and the owners (Top Five Syndicate) have been patient.”

RETIREMENT plans were shelved for S’all Good Man after his success in the William Hill Apprentice Handicap. Bill Farrell’s six-year-old was opening his account at the 17th attempt having been placed on four occasions previously. Cian MacRedmond produced the 16/1 shot to lead early in the straight, in the mile-and-a-half contest, and he stayed on well to record a length-and-a-quarter win over Extensio.

“I’m delighted that he won, we were threatening to retire him but he’s a grand horse and he’s had bits of issues,” said Farrell, who trains the winner for Gary Davis.”

Ellabella is another likely to be kept busy at Dundalk after claiming her fourth course and distance success in the concluding mile handicap. Jack Kearney was soon in front on the Andrew McNamara-trained filly and she kept on gamely in the closing stages to record a length-and-a-quarter win over Miss Abby Jools, at odds of 10/1.

“As they challenged she pricked her ears and went on again. That’s the way she loves to be ridden.”