Smullen has a real sense of purpose
Dropping back in trip, Sense Of Purpose dictated the pace and looked likely to be swamped by the challenging duo in the closing stages. But she battled tenaciously to keep Marksmanship at bay by a half-length.
Sense Of Purpose is trained for the Moyglare Stud Farm by Dermot Weld, who enthused: “Another wonderful ride by Pat. But there’s no doubt that the filly is the real star of the show.
“She’s not very big, but she’s all heart and courage. This is our fifth win in the race in the last ten years.
“A mile and six furlongs is her trip, so she’s done well to win tonight.
“We were considering the Ebor and the Irish St./Leger could also be in the plans. But the Park Hill Stakes in Doncaster is probably the logical race for her, over her ideal trip.”
A beaten odds-on favourite at Galway ten days ago, the Aidan O’Brien-trained Learn made amends when justifying odds of 2/5 in the opening two-year-old maiden.
Ridden again by Colm O’Donoghue, the Galileo colt made all, had his rivals in trouble before turning for home and stayed on to beat 33/1 debutant Strada Colorata by five lengths.
In the absence of the winning trainer, O’Donoghue commented; “He’s a nice, straight-forward colt, a good-mover that appreciates that ground. He’s learning all the time, will step-up in class now and is definitely a colt to look forward to next year. He should make a smashing three-year-old.”
Johnny Murtagh, who returned after a three-day suspension with a win on Iron Major in Sligo on Wednesday, followed-up with a double on Dimona, for his boss John Oxx, in the concluding two-mile handicap and the Eddie Lynam trained Words Of Wisdom in the leopardstown.com Handicap.
Tackling two miles for the first time, Dimona saw off Star Power and front-runner Nantucket Bay, prompting Oxx to comment: “There had to be a doubt about a three-year-old filly staying two miles against older horses. But she stayed it well and seemed to quicken towards the end.
“She’s a versatile and improving filly and we’ll stick to a mile and a half, or further with her. She might go for the Kingdom Gold Cup in Killarney later in the month.”
Murtagh had initiated his double when Words Of Wisdom registered his second win at Leopardstown in the nine furlong handicap
“He’s a funny old horse, still very weak, and you can do very little with him at home,” explained trainer Eddie Lynam, “But it’s great to win with him again. This place has been lucky for us this year. He did it well enough, although Johnny said he had a good look around when he hit the front.”
Jim Bolger introduced an interesting newcomer to win the Aslan Maiden, as Singe The Grass, a son of Galileo, forged six lengths clear of Jolie Jioconde.
The winning trainer said: “He was ready to run last backend but had problems with mucus and he had the same problem in the spring. He’s had a couple of little muscle problems too and he’s a late developer. So I’m happy to get him here and to win.”
Kate Greenaway, ridden by in-form, Niall McCullagh gave County Wexford trainer Thomas James his first flat success when coming from last to first to foil Act Of Love in the one-mile fillies handicap.
In his post-race comments, James explained: “I discovered she was in season when we took her out of the horse-box so I didn’t know what to expect from her and told the Stewards beforehand. But it all worked out well for us.”
