USDI Atohi proved an appropriate winner of the featured Coolmore Ten Sovereigns Tipperary Stakes as the daughter of the second season sire in the race title came out on top in a thrilling finish to this listed contest.

The 20/1 outsider, successful on debut at Dundalk before disappointing in a Group 3 at Naas, was prominent throughout towards the stands’ side under Gavin Ryan and just got the better of a final furlong duel with Powerful Nation by a neck with Shamrock Breeze nearly three lengths back in third.

“We thought she was a good filly and the form of her maiden worked out very well. She was a bit disappointing in Naas but she took a very bad step at one of the ridges and Gavin was easy on her then.

“This looked a competitive race but thankfully she’s bounced back to form,” said Donnacha O’Brien who trains the filly for Barry Fowler and Steven Weston.

“A stiff six furlongs probably stretched her, so we said we’d let her bowl over five as she did in her maiden and it’s worked out. We’ll find a group race for her.”

Surpass made a winning debut here over seven furlongs on soft ground and followed that up with a decisive victory on a much faster surface in the Glenvale Stud Race.

The son of Saxon Warrior, trained by Aidan O’Brien for the Coolmore partners, travelled smoothly to lead early in the straight and was just pushed out by Ryan Moore to beat Dakota Blue by a comfortable three lengths.

“He’s a nice horse and has had two nice runs here. He’s impressed me both times and hopefully he has a nice future. He’s very comfortable on that ground,” said Moore of the 4/9 winner.

JACK Davison won the Group 2 Sapphire Stakes with Mooneista in 2021 and the Dunboyne trainer is hoping to repeat the feat with She’s Quality who readily justified odds of 4/9 in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Race.

The Acclamation filly previously won easily under top-weight in a Down Royal handicap and was even more impressive here cruising to the front under two furlongs out for Ronan Whelan before drawing clear with the minimum of fuss to beat Gabriella’s Spirit by three and a quarter lengths.

“She was very professional, and it is all starting to click. She’s getting to where I thought she would be, and we look forward to the Sapphire at the Curragh in a couple of weeks. Hopefully the ground stays fast,” said Davison of the Quality Time Racing Syndicate-owned filly.

“We’re working on her confidence and the last two runs will do her the world of good. I really do think she’s going to be a very good sprinter going forward.”

Successive year

Havana Notion and Hugh Horgan took the Botanica International Apprentice Handicap for the second successive year.

The 17/2 chance just had Ginormous for company when racing towards the far side throughout and kept on well inside the final furlong to beat the strong finishing Realtin Fantasy by a length and a half.

“He likes it here and won this race last year. The horse beside him helped him and then he was on his own for a bit which suited as he doesn’t like a lot of horses around him,” said Johnny Feane who trains the grey gelding for the Prosperous One Syndicate.

CHAMPION Chase-winning owner Declan Landy added to a great year with Captain Guinness by breeding his first winner as Blue Soul landed the seven-furlong fillies’ handicap.

The Ger Lyons-trained 6/1 shot led about a furlong out and kept on well under pressure to hold off Morning Approach by half-a-length.

“I’m absolutely chuffed to bits for Declan Landy,” said Lyons’ brother and assistant Shane. “James (Ryan) was excellent on her. He knew there was going to be a good gallop, but he had a good clock in his head.

“He said she idled a little in front so there is still a bit left there and she might improve stepped up in trip.”

Andrew Slattery senior and junior teamed up to take the nine-furlong handicap with Killeaney Bear who put a disappointing run at Gowran behind him to score at odds of 16/1.

“The Charles Kerwin-owned gelding led entering the straight and asserted over a furlong out before holding on well to beat Sportingsilvermine by half-a-length.

“He disappointed us a few days when we expected him to run well and he never travelled the last day in Gowran. “He’s a big gross horse who seems to be improving and coming to himself a little bit,” said the winning rider.

Power-packed

Chris Hayes produced Ifitwasme (13/2) with a power-packed run from off the pace in the mile and a half Tipperaryraces.ie Handicap, getting well on top in the closing stages to beat Crypto Crash by two and a quarter lengths.

“The first-time tongue strap may have helped him but Chris gave him a super ride. He’s promised to do that on a few occasions but hasn’t delivered,” said trainer Eric McNamara.

“I’m delighted for Mike Wilmot and his three sons (owners) who are all from Rathkeale just down the road from me and we often share a pint together.

“That’s probably his best trip and we might look for something in Killarney in a couple of weeks’ time.”