Boldini impresses on debut
The War Front colt, sent off at 1/3 to beat just two rivals, overcame his inexperience to outclass Atlantic Sea inside the final furlong, with the 91-rated Glassatura last of three.
Joseph O’Brien said of Giovanni Boldini: “He’s a lovely colt. He was a bit slow at the start but settled and relaxed well for me. He loved that fast surface and quickened well when I asked him, although he had a good look around going to the line. He should improve a lot and is another nice prospect by War Front”
Giovanni Boldini, which was giving Aidan O’Brien a fourth successive win in this event, holds plenty of big-race entries and will step into stakes company next time. He received a 25/1 quote (from 33) from Stan James for next year’s Investec Derby.
The day’s other odds-on favourite Yulong Baoju also delivered in the opening Dundalk Stadium Race, Pat Smullen easing the 2/5 shot past My Good Brother before the furlong-pole before winning readily by a half-length.
“It was an ideal race for her,” said winning trainer Eddie Lynam, “Although she didn’t win like a filly with 14lb. in hand. She’ll probably go for a handicap at the Curragh next Saturday. I’m looking forward to training her as a four-year-old.”
Riding honours went to Kevin Manning, who doubled-up on Star Power and Vasanta Navaratri for Jim Bolger, who was attending the All-Ireland Hurling final in Croke Park.
A dour stayer, Star Power got the better of Cervelas in a dour battle for the two-mile Crowne Plaze Race & Stay Handicap, with recent Musselburgh winner five lengths away third.
Four-year-old Vasanta Navaratri built on his recent debut second to Piet Mondrian in Killarney when landing he finale, the Dundalk Stadium Maiden, prompting his rider to comment: “He improved from his run in Killarney and did it well.”
Aidan and Joseph O’Brien were denied a two-year-old double when 13/8 favourite Lungarno Palace, probably not suited by dropping back to six furlongs, failed by a head to catch the Jessica Harrington-trained gelding Persian Caliph in the median auction maiden.
The winner, a gelded son of Intikhab, was bouncing back from a poor run at Fairyhouse to open his account under Shane Foley.
Trainer Pat Flynn, celebrating his 57th birthday, was not present to see Summer Blue defy a 15lb. hike for a recent win at Bellewstown in the five-furlong Crowne Plaza Hotel Handicap.
The Exceed And Excel filly bounced smartly from the stalls and made all under Danny Grant to slam Under review by four and three-quarter lengths.
