Lilbourne Lad steams home for Hughes in Railway
Passing the two furlong pole the heavily backed Tough As Nails looked the most likely winner, but he could never quite shake off the winner.
The last 150 yards or so proved hard work for Tough As Nails and he simply didn’t see out the six furlongs as well as his rival, the verdict three parts of a length.
Calling frivolous stewards’ inquiries has become popular in Irish racing of late and we had another one here.
Lilbourne Lad did edge to his right with less than a furlong to run, but it was of no consequence and the subsequent inquiry was a total waste of time.
Partnered by Richard Hughes, the son of Acclamation is trained by Richard Hannon, who was represented by his son, also Richard.
Commented Hannon junior: “I thought he was going to run flat three furlongs down, but is a lovely little horse and got the job done.
“He may come back here for the National Stakes, or go for the Morny (Deauville), something like that.”
Michael Halford’s Invincible Ash came back to her best with a decisive win in the Group 3 Woodies DIY Sapphire Stakes.
Gary Carroll was in the plate and rode her with massive confidence, coming from off the pace to quicken into the lead through the final furlong.
“I told Gary to run at them and, hopefully it would work”, reported Halford. “The drying ground was very important, I left here on Friday night a worried man.
“They may have gone too fast in front and Gary gave her an absolute peach of a ride.”
Ryan Moore began his day when giving Aidan O’Brien’s After a fine drive to take the Dubai Duty Free Double Millionaire EBF Maiden.
The daughter of Danehill Dancer had disappointed when ridden prominently at Tipperary previously and Moore adopted different tactics.
They worked like a charm, as he produced her with a powerful late challenge to beat promising newcomer, and stable companion, Taigan by a head.
Said O’Brien: “We thought she was very nice the first day here, but then disappointed at Tipperary.
“We don’t know whether the trip was too short or the ground too fast, we just don’t know. We told Ryan to ride her patiently and she will now be stepped up to Listed company.”
Moore completed a double, and a treble for O’Brien, when Pirateer made practically all of the running to land the Dubai Duty Free Full Of Surprises Celebration Stakes. Pirateer, of course, beat Irish Derby hero, Treasure Beach, at Listowel last season.
“He kept going well and got a great ride from Ryan’’, remarked O’Brien. “He could step up to Group 3 company in the Desmond Stakes at Leopardstown now.”
Veteran trainer, Cecil Ross, uttered the quote of the day, following the 16-1 success of his Six Of Hearts in the very valuable Paddy Power Sprint.
“This is better than winning the Lotto and I’ve been trying to win that since it started”, quipped Ross.
Sam James gave Six Of Hearts the perfect drive, powering him through late to beat Cheviot, with the unlucky in running Collingwood close behind in third.
Continuing Ross said: “He will come back here on July 16 for a Group 3, I don’t suppose we have any other option now. Sam gave him some ride, he was brilliant.”
Jessica Harrington’s Gimli’s Rock and Fran Berry ran away with the Dubai Duty Free Finest Surprise EBF Handicap. He swept into the lead a furlong from home and stretched nicely away from Top Spin to score by three lengths. Said Harrington: “That’s the easiest he has ever won! He came back well from a break after Punchestown and will now go for the Galway Hurdle.”
