Oxx’s purple patch continues with Manieree in Blandford

IN-FORM John Oxx registered his fourth stakes winner in as many days when Manieree captured the Group 2 thetote.com Blandford Stakes at the Curragh yesterday.

Oxx’s string has hit form late in the season. But the victories of Alanza and Saddler’s Rock in Doncaster, followed by Born To Sea on Saturday and 9/1 shot Manieree yesterday provide evidence of the Curraghbeg yard’s well-being.

With Johnny Murtagh on board stable-companion Kirinda (owned by the Aga Khan), Niall McCullagh continued his successful partnership with Manieree, which broke smartly, dictated the pace and forged clear early in the straight to slam Sapphire by three and a quarter lengths, with Bible Belt, sent off 11/8 favourite in the absence of Banimpire, a very disappointing seventh.