WHIRL upstaged her better-fancied stablemate Giselle, when recording a hard fought victory in the Staffordstown Stud Stakes at the Curragh on Tuesday.

The Wootton Bassett filly opened her account at Doncaster last month and went to post a 6/1 shot in the Group 3 contest over a mile.

Wayne Lordan had his mount to the fore throughout and she pulled out all the stops when joined by And So To Bed, edging ahead close home for half-length victory.

Giselle stayed on to finish fourth and was subsequently promoted to third having been slightly hampered by Celtic Motif in the closing stages.

Delighted

“I’m delighted with them, they ran very well,” said Aidan O’Brien afterwards. “Wayne gave the winner a lovely ride. He went his pace and he was left alone in front. She has more experience, she got out there and is tough and found plenty.

“Ryan (Moore’s) filly (Giselle) was a bit babyish and a bit green. He was trying to teach her, which was the right thing to do.”

O’Brien went on to complete a double with Rubies Are Red in the Bill Hanlon Memorial Fillies Maiden. Ryan Moore had to be strong on the 2/1 favourite, as he got her head in front in the closing stages to beat Elana Osario.

“He gave her a class ride, as always. She has a lot of ability and Ryan said she’d be way better in a better race,” said O’Brien.

“That’s an important win for her. There is probably not much left for her, there is the Finale Stakes back here on the last day and we might see her again in that.”

One for the tracker

Saracen looked a smart prospect, making a winning debut for Joseph O’Brien in the opening Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden.

Dylan Browne McMonagle asked his mount to hit the front a furlong and a half from home and the Siyouni colt really opened up in the closing stages to post a four-length win.

The 3/1 winner cost €500,000 as a yearling and O’Brien said of him: “He was impressive, he’s a nice colt and had been showing up well at home. He was going to make his debut a few weeks ago, but just had a little setback.

“I’m delighted to have, what potentially looks like, a good horse for Al Shaqab and the team. They’ve been good supporters of ours. This guy will come back for a Guineas trial in the spring.”

NICOLA Burns became the latest pony racing graduate to make an impact on the track, when partnering her first career winner in the concluding Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Handicap.

It was a real family success, as she took the mount on Genuine Jim for her father Robbie. The 15/2 shot was delivered to lead a furlong from home and record a length-and-a-half win.

“It’s a special day and it was a long finish watching that,” said Burns senior.

“I’m delighted for Nicola and delighted for the owner, Tony McLoughlin, who is a great supporter of mine. We wouldn’t be here without Tony. We’ll enjoy today.

“We’ve had good fun with the pony racing as a family over the past two years. She had two good years, we’ll move on now and see how this goes. Hopefully, she can keep improving.”

Ryan lunges late

James Ryan is right in the mix for the apprentice title this season and moved one behind Wayne Hassett, when getting Jon Riggens up late on in the Friarstown Stud Handicap.

The 3/1 favourite lunged late to pip long-time leader Merisi Diamond by a short-head in the six-furlong contest.

Winning trainer Eddie Lynam quipped: “It was never in doubt! You have to ride him for luck and they didn’t go hard early. He got there in the end. I would have been disappointed as a trainer, if I’d gone the whole year without winning one with him.”

ANDY Slattery has several races in mind for Smooth Tom after the versatile gelding ground out a game win in the Al Basti Amateur Derby.

The 9/2 shot came to dispute with Ascending over a furlong out in the mile-and-a-half contest and got on top close home for Adam Ryan to secure a half-length win for owner Margaret O’Rourke.

“We might run him in the Grade 3 hurdle at Down Royal on Friday week, if he’s alright and give him a little break then,” said Slattery.

“He ran well the last day, it was kind of a non-event, with Daddy Long Legs going out in front and he didn’t follow him. He rode for second and got second. He was second in the Lincoln as well this year so he’s very versatile.

“Adam is a very good rider. A few things went wrong for him this year and he’s gone through a lean spell, so it’s great for him to get a winner. He’s well able to ride.”

Fahey’s second career double

Jarlath Fahey is enjoying the best season of his career and took his flat tally to 12 with a double on the card, bagging both divisions of the 47-70 handicap over 10 furlongs.

Nans View was delivered with a strong surge inside the final furlong by Dylan Browne McMonagle, who was recording his own double. The 5/1 shot stayed on well late on to beat Thatwilldoso by a length and a half.

“She’s been knocking on the door and finished strongly the last day over a mile,” said Fahey.

“She’s a nice filly and doing her job, she’s at her level. Hopefully, she’ll improve with experience and it’s great to get a day out of her.”

In the second heat, Barrogstown Girl won a final-furlong duel with Gotta Catch’em All to record a head victory under Neve Bennett.

“She battled very well in fairness to her. I was a little bit worried about her bouncing two days after her last run, and about the wide draw,” said Fahey of the 10/3 winner.

“She’s probably one that will go hurdling, we’ll have a chat with the owners. She was in an online sale recently and there was no interest in her, but (my brother) Mick got her sold to a few friends of his (MJTF Syndicate) and it’s paying dividends for them already.”