Globe-trotting Inxile does it again
It was his ninth outing of the year and none of them have been in his native Britain. He ran four times in Meydan, twice in France and this was his third visit to Ireland.
Taken down long before the off-time by Dandy’s son, Adrian, the winner was equally quick and away out of stalls.
He made virtually all of the running and seemed to have a nice bit in reserve in beating fellow invader, Liberty Lady, by three parts of a length.
Commented Nicholls senior: “He’s a tough horse and can be bloody keen. I thought Adrian gave him a great ride.
“He has two speeds, zero or flat out and Adrian locked him away in front. He will have next weekend off, if I don’t find something in the meantime.
“The horse will come back to Ireland on Derby day and races like the Nunthorpe (York) and the L’Abbaye (Longchamp) are on the agenda.”
It was a ninth success for Inxile, five of them coming in Ireland, two in France and just two in his native land.
Jim Bolger’s durable Banimpire landed her third Group race of the season with a smooth win in the Kerry Group Noblesse Stakes.
She moved supremely well through the contest and picked up in impressive fashion for Kevin Manning to cruise into the lead over a furlong down.
Bolger’s travelling head-man, Ger Flynn, did the honours and said: “I’ve been on to the boss and he says the Ribblesdale at Ascot next Thursday is still the plan, but we will have to see how she comes out of this first.”
The stewards held an inquiry into some close riding in the straight, but it really was a wasted exercise and there was never the remotest possibility of a change in the placings.
David Wachman’s newcomer, Rambling Rake, was far too good for his rivals in the Irish Stallion Farms’ EBF Auction Maiden.
He swept up for Billy Lee to edge ahead under a furlong down and beat Rockview Diamond by two lengths.
“He’s a grand horse”, reported Wachman. “He did well from his outside draw and Billy said was green. He should improve nicely and seven furlongs is probably his trip.”
Fran Berry enjoyed a welcome turn when driving Inishmot Duchess to victory in the Kerry Group Handicap.
The winner came up the stands’ side and was always just about getting the best of the fight with the wide-running Khelino.
Berry completed a double aboard the heavily-supported Back Burner in the Golden Olive Maiden.
Trained by Jessica Harrington and taken from 11-2 to 3-1 favourite, the three-year-old forged clear in the straight to win by five lengths.
Shane Foley continues to impress and was again seen to advantage when driving Ken Condon’s Bold Thady Quill to a short head defeat of Kevin Manning and Deire Na Sli in the Charleville Cheese Handicap.
Said Condon: “He’s a horse who has had two wind operations. The ground is good, but if it was any slower we would have been in trouble and I would have taken him out.”
Johnny Murtagh, who partnered third placed Aznavour, was found guilty of using his whip with excessive frequency and suspended for one day.
Ted Dolly, fourth at Limerick on Saturday night, reappeared in the Low Low Handicap and landed a gamble.
Taken from 11-4 to 7-4 favourite, he raced on the pace throughout for Pat Smullen and was in control from the two furlong pole.
