FINAL Gesture certainly looks a stayer to follow this season after making an impressive Irish debut in the Listed Irish Stallion Farms EBF Vintage Tipple Stakes.

The impeccably bred filly was bought by American celebrity chef Bobby Flay for €925,000 at Arqana last December and was sent off the 4/1 joint favourite stepping up to a mile and six furlongs. The Paddy Twomey-trained four-year-old took control early in the straight, quickening clear under two furlongs out to beat Joupe by a convincing five lengths.

“She settled beautifully through the race and picked up well,” said winning rider Billy Lee. “I had to keep at her thinking she was starting to pull up with me and when I had a look around didn’t realise I was as far in front!”

“She had been running over shorter distances in France but has no problem going this trip and I’d say two miles into the future. She has a beautiful pedigree by Dubawi out of Secret Gesture, she is bred in the purple.”

Double

Lee later completed a 54/1 double when partnering Empress Of Beauty, trained by Henry de Bromhead for Linda Shanahan, to make a winning debut in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Maiden.

“She was green through the race but every time I wanted her to pick up the bit she travelled. When I let her down she was a bit green but to be fair to her she quickened twice,” said the Limerick rider after the daughter of Le Harve held off the late surge of Thunder Roll by a neck.

THE Irish Stallion Farms EBF Victor McCalmont Memorial Stakes, went the way of Indian Wish who like Final Gesture was bought (for €120,000) out of Henri-Alex Pantall’s yard on the same day at Arqana.

The 12/1 shot was never too far from the pace and quickened clear on the stands’ side rail inside the final furlong to beat Angels Wrath by two and a half lengths.

Winning trainer Joseph O’Brien said: “Declan (McDonogh) gave her a lovely ride and she quickened up well. I’m delighted to win a stakes race with her for Sean and Annette (Kelly). She’ll probably race over a mile or nine furlongs and I don’t know if she has to go much further than that. She’ll probably go for a Group 3 next.”

Fort Vega built on a promising reappearance at Limerick when just coming out on top in a thrilling finish to the Golf At Gowran Park Maiden.

The 100/30 chance responded gamely under Robbie Colgan inside the final furlong to touch off Saturn Seven by a neck with Running Cool just a short-head back in third.

“Robbie said he was a little bit on top of his head over seven, and he thought a mile on that ground would be perfect,” said Sheila Lavery who trains the son of Lope De Vega for her brother John.

“He’s a real nice colt but is still not anywhere near the finished article. He has some smart entries (Irish 2000 Guineas) but I won’t lose the run of myself and we’ll sit down and decide where to go. I think he needs a bit of ease in the ground.”

Prominent

Save Your Love was also prominent throughout in the following Open Singles Thursdays At Gowran Park Maiden.

Owned and bred by Pat O’Kelly, the Invincible Spirit gelding led well over a furlong out and despite showing signs of greenness, kept on well to beat Hutton Glen by a length and a half.

“He’s learning all the time and had a nice run at Navan. Ben (Coen) said when he hit the front today he still had a little look around. He probably appreciated the better ground and I’d say he’d definitely get another furlong or two,” said trainer Johnny Murtagh of the 6/5 favourite.

Division one of the Save 33% Buying Tickets Online Handicap proved a triumph for the Doyle family with Simply Sideways (10/1), owned and bred by Claire Doyle and trained by her husband Tim, benefitting from a patient ride by Ronan Whelan and stretched clear inside the final furlong to beat Leviosa by three and a half lengths.

“She did that nicely and it was a good while coming,” said the Thurles trainer. “She always showed ability so we persevered with her and she’s a bigger, stronger mare this year. She could go for something similar in Killarney.”

Jessica Harrington moved onto the 15-winner mark for the season when Timeless Piece (7/2-6/1) led about a furlong out in the Gowran Park Golf Club Apprentice Handicap and was pushed right out by Scott McCullagh close home to hold off Not Even Maybe by half a length.

The Moone trainer was represented by her daughter Kate who said: “Scott said she ran very green again today, hung left and hung right, but he was confident enough on her. He’s worth 10lb in these apprentice races because he’s so strong.”

You Owe Me Money also opened her account in division two of this mile event, with the 5/1 chance getting on top inside the final furlong to score by three-quarters of a length under Dean Curran.

“It’s great to see that filly getting a bit of luck today and I’m delighted for Ger (O’Leary, owner),” said trainer Darren Bunyan. “I thought she was an unlucky loser in Cork the last day and she likes a little ease in the ground.”