Park Hill may be next on Juliette’s agenda
Another Oxx candidate, Fenella’s Link, set a spanking gallop and there was to be no hiding place.
Kiteflyer went past with less than two furlongs to go, but Johnny Murtagh had that well covered and Juliette was always going to deliver from a furlong down.
Said Oxx: “She was clear on the ratings, but didn’t win like that. She is going the right way and stays well.
“We think she will get further and the Park Hill Stakes (Doncaster) is over a mile and almost seven furlongs and that could be next.”
Regarding Kiteflyer, Oxx said: “She stays well and is very honest. She loves fast ground.”
Murtagh and Oxx completed a double when Dossier stepped up from maiden company to Listed class with a game display in the King Charlemagne Stakes.
Murtagh eased her into the lead just inside the furlong pole and she answered the call to hold the persistent challenge of Twiggy’s Sister by a neck.
Said Oxx: “She’s had lots of setbacks, little things. I’m not sure how far she’ll stay, but should get a mile and a quarter and will now go for the Matron Stakes (Leopardstown).
The Ballydoyle newcomer, Anchor, was all the rage in the opening Mull Of Kintyre Maiden, but was no match for Dermot Weld’s first-timer Simple Exchange.
The market leader found 1-3, from 1-2, but never looked like getting to grips with the winner in the closing stages.
Pat Smullen sent Simple Exchange ahead at the furlong pole and he quickened in style to beat his rival by a comfortable two lengths.
Said Smullen: “We didn’t go a great gallop, but he has loads of pace. He could be a smart little horse.”
Michael Kinane, out of luck aboard Anchor, immediately redressed the balance on Ger Lyons’ Windsor Dancer.
Kinane sent the five-year-old for home passing under the two furlong marker and she was soon clear to beat the fast finishing New Deal by a length and a half.
“A brilliant ride”, was how local trainer, Pat O’Keeffe, described the drive David Russell gave his Ashpark Princess to win the Bach Handicap Hurdle.
Ashpark Princess was taken to the front well before the straight and was much quicker over the final flight than eventual runner-up, Katie Stobling.
The latter threw down a determined challenge on the level, but was still a short head adrift at the line. “She will now go to Tralee”, reported O’Keeffe of his charge.
Andrew McNamara (20) rode his fifth winner, and his first over flights, when partnering the John Murphy owned and trained Brigadier Brown to an easy success in the Turtle Island Maiden Hurdle.
McNamara eased the winner ahead over the third last and the Satco gelding was untroubled in the closing stages.
Commented Murphy: “I thought he’d win. He loves firm ground and had a couple of good runs in bumpers.”
The Sean Aherne trained Dantys Hampshire, off for over a year, stripped fit and well to land the Bumper.
He came from well off the pace for Paul Tobin to cut down the flattering pair, Moscow Court and Golden Isle, inside the last furlong.
Said Aherne: “He has been held up with niggling problems. He has a nice pedigree, is a half-brother to Strontium, and will go over hurdles now.”
