Pleascach on path to better things
The daughter of Teofilo had made her debut in a Group Three at the Curragh on Sunday, finishing a creditable fourth to I Am Beautiful.
The experience was clearly not lost on her as she travelled handily on the heels of Simply A Star.
Seamie Heffernan’s mount looked like she might make all at one stage, but Manning had every move covered as the 9-10 favourite moved sweetly into contention.
Once asked she eased clear for a ready two and three quarter length success.
Bolger, who has in string in great form, said: “She is very green, she’s done nothing she just came to hand very quick so we said we’d give her a race at the Curragh. She didn’t have a hard race as she didn’t know what to do.
“She didn’t quite get it all together, but she showed the benefit of the run this evening.
“Long-term the goal is the Debutante, we’ll probably run in between but I’m not sure where.
“She’s my Guineas/Oaks filly.”
Bertie Le Belge maintained his unbeaten record with victory in the Visit The Leopardstown Circle Lounge Race.
It was a quite a dramatic win, as Itorio had made virtually all and it appeared as though he would do enough before faltering in the last 50 yards, almost colliding with the running rail.
The Ger Lyons-trained Bertie Le Belge finished well for Colin Keane and the 7-4 favourite got up with half a length in hand.
Lyons said: “I never thought for a moment up the straight he would win.
“I don’t think he learned as much as I’d have liked at the Curragh, he won but he didn’t really benefit from the race. He came out wide and he wasn’t among horses.
“It was like his first run tonight, there’s plenty of improvement in him and you’d have to love his attitude.
“That’s as fast as he would want it, he’ll get further but we’ll take our time with him as he probably had a hard race and you’d not want to be backing him up. The Futurity down the road is the aim.
“He’s very much on the leg and he’s a next year horse, so we’re not in any rush with him.”
Aidan O’Brien’s Group One-entered Toscanelli was a disappointment, having to be niggled rounding the turn and never looking a threat down the straight.
Apprentice Robbie Downey, having his first ride for Dermot Weld, earned high praise from the trainer’s son Kris following his victory on top-weight Flic Flac in the seven-furlong Bulmers Original Handicap.
The six-year-old, in foal to Choisir, hit the front before the furlong-pole before holding the late surge of Ramone by a neck.
“She’s a grand, honest mare,” said Weld. “We’ll see what Dad says when he returns (from New York), whether this is her last hurrah. Robbie gave her a very good ride — he did exactly what he was asked.”
Dermot Weld completed a 135/1 double when Pacelli Road, in the colours of J P McManus, came from well off the pace under Fran Berry to bolt up in the Independence Day Handicap, prompting Weld Jnr to comment: “The better ground was a big help to him. We took a chance with the trip, but it suited him better.”
Berry completed a double in the finale, the Leopardstown Club Membership maiden when the Jessica Harrington-trained mare Gambling Girl returned to winning form at the expense of Pink Hat and Martys Magic.
