Get off to a flier with Honoria
The daughter of Sadler’s Wells was thrown in at the deep end at Limerick a week ago and emerged with great credit.
She contested a Listed race and, for most of the extended 11 furlongs, appeared to have little clue of what was required.
Eventually, the penny began to drop, however, and Hanoria finished with a real flourish to finish a highly creditable fourth behind Dress Rehearsal.
Two very useful horeses in Red Moloney and Simawa were second and third respectively and, in all, the selection was only beaten about two and half lengths. The fact she is asked to turn again so quickly is encouraging and we know how much Aidan O’Brien’s horses can improve from one run to another.
All eyes will be on Shimah, in the Saoire Stakes, following the huge impression she created on her debut.
Kevin Prendergast’s filly was well touted when having a first run on this track earlier in the month and went off a warm favourite.
She didn’t disappoint, producing a smashing performance to beat subsequent Royal Ascot Queen Mary third, Connie Mac, by an easy four lengths. The daughter of Storm Cat hopped off the fast surface and only if failing to handle the ground, should it go on the soft side, can one envisage her meeting defeat.
The rest of the card looks particularly tricky, but maybe Ger Lyons’ Lac A Dancer will turn her relative experience to good use in the N Conlan and Sons EBF Fillies Maiden. She seemed to be crying out for further when runner-up behind Three Way Stretch at Leopardstown over six furlongs and the third and fourth then, Choose Me and Sea Of Marmara, have won in the meantime.
