Classic double for brilliant Beo
Carrying the colours of Michael Ryan from Dungarvan, she was given a magnificent Waterford welcome by her owner and his huge entourage.
Such receptions are rare in flat racing, as indeed are fillies of this quality. Fears that travelling to France, a week after landing the English 1000 Guineas at Newmarket, might have taken the edge off her proved unfounded.
Confidently handled by Kevin Manning, Finsceal Beo went to the front with just over a furlong to go.
She lengthened in style and though tiring somewhat in the rain-softened surface in the closing stages, crossed the line a cosy neck to the good over fast-finishing Dimenticata.
Trainer, Jim Bolger, said: “It shouldn’t be beyond the capabilities of the European planners to have two weeks between each of the three classics and make it a fillies triple crown. All it takes is some imagination.”
On future plans, Bolger intends to talk to both Ryan and winning jockey, Kevin Manning. “She’s the best filly I have trained at a mile”, said Bolger.
“We will have to decide whether to step her up in trip. If that is the case then the Pretty Polly (Curragh), or some such race, could be next. If we were to stay at a mile then the Coronation at Royal Ascot would be a possibility.”
Dimentica, improving very much on previous efforts, produced a tremendous display to chase the winner all the way to the line.
The third, Peeping Fawn, also emerged with great credit. The winner of a Naas maiden previously, she tried to make all and is clearly heading in the right direction.
The real disappointment was Arch Swing, who had finished runner-up behind Finsceal Beo at Newmarket.
The ground was reported by some senor jockeys as on the dead side of good and she seemed incapable of handling it, trailing home last of the 11 runners.
Her trainer, John Oxx, however, was inclined to dismiss such thinking. “She was gone too far out for that to be a reason,” said Oxx.
“She jumped awkwardly from the stalls and, though appearing to be sound coming in, may have twisted something.”
Dylan Thomas went down to a shock defeat to Notnowcato in the Group 1 Tattersalls Gold Cup, after the pair had treated punters to a thrilling tussle.
They went toe-to-toe for most of the straight and the outcome was in doubt entering the final furlong.
It was Notnowcato, however, who showed the greater resolution under Johnny Murtagh and was a head to the good at the line.
Trainer Michael Stoue wasn’t at headquarters, but those close to the colt indicated the Prince Of Wales at Royal Ascot and the Eclipse at Sandown are under consideration.
Plenty of rain prior to racing may have contributed to Dylan Thomas’ defeat, but Aidan O’Brien refused to use that as an excuse.
“He’s run a good race, there are no excuses”, said O’Brien. “We will see how he is before making any plans. All those good races are obviously open to him.”
O’Brien had compensation when saddling the first two in the Airlie Stud Gallinule Stakes, Alexander Of Hales beating Spanish Harlem.
The latter tried to make all the running, but Seamus Heffernan brought Alexander Of Hales with a sweeping late challenge to score by half a length.
Heffernan did squeeze through a narrow gap, but the placings were never going to be altered, following an inquiry.
Commented O’Brien: “This is a tough, improving horse. He’s in the French Derby (Chantilly) next Sunday, we will see how he is.”
Jim Bolger’s Saoirse Abu was all the rage for the Boylesports’ EBF Maiden and did the business in style.
Powered ahead under a furlong down by Kevin Manning, like Bolger initiating a double, the daughter of Mr Greeley quickly ran four lengths clear of Norman Invader.
“She will stay further and nearly wants a mile already”, reported Bolger. “She will now go to Naas for the Swordlestown.”
The two Ballydoyle newcomers, King Of Westphalia and Prairie Hawk, were friendless in the market and performed accordingly.
John Oxx’s Timarwa was a major order in the boylesports.com Maiden and simply toyed with the opposition, after being sent on inside the furlong pole by Michael Kinane.
“She’s a nice filly, but getting her into the stalls is an issue”, said Oxx. “We might run her next in the Ribbblesdale at Royal Ascot. She was a bit keen and needs to learn to settle.”
The Waterford theme continued when John Kiely’s King Rama completed a hat-trick of wins when getting the best of a desperate last furlong tussle with Kempes and Princess Nala in the Boylesports 115 Nationwide Handicap.
“We had the right jockey (Kinane)”, said Kiely. “He’s an unbelievable horse, who just keeps improving.
“I don’t know how far it will go, but he will come back here on Derby day for the Premier Handicap.”
A third Waterford success on the day came when Pat Flynn’s She’s Our Mark stormed clear in the straight to easily win the boylesports.com Handicap.
Johnny Murtagh, successful on Notnowcato, began his day with a clear-cut victory on Michael Halford’s Wychwood Wanderer in the boylecasino.com Handicap.
