22 July 2018

A Class Act

After two successes in Listed company this Sea The Stars filly took the step up to the top level in her stride. The William Haggas-trained Sea Of Class, ridden by James Doyle, claimed victory in the last strides in yesterday's Darley Irish Oaks at the Curragh. Bye Bye Baby, one of three of Aidan O'Brien's runners in this seven-strong field, went into the lead early on, accompanied by her stable companion, Forever Together. The latter, with the trainer's son, Donnacha, aboard, dominated as the field turned for home. Sea Of Class, however, found that little extra when needed and achieved a precision finish, thwarting the hopes of the Epsom Oaks heroine by a neck.

Cracked it

Richard Hannon notched up a second victory in the £250,000 Weatherbys Super Sprint Stakes at Newbury yesterday. Ginger Nut, partnered by Harry Bentley proved the fastest of the twenty-five runners in this five-furlong-plus sprint. This Sir Prancealot filly finally broke her duck after five attempts when winning British EBF Stallions Fillies' Novice Median Auction Stakes at Windsor last time out. In the closing stages of this contest it looked like the prize would go to the Bryan Smart-trained maiden Moojim but the 16/1 shot, Ginger Nut, made one last surge to win by a neck.

A Likely Lad

This Footstepsinthesand colt certainly left his mark on the Friarstown Stud Minstrel Stakes at the Curragh yesterday. The David O'Meara-trained Larchmont Lad, ridden by James Doyle, dominated the race from from the outset, even outsmarting Ryan Moore's serious attempt to claim the prize for the Aidan O'Brien-trained 11-8 favourite, St Patrick's Day. The four-year-old ultimately led home a one-two win for the York-based trainer with So Beloved taking the runner-up spot.