Saoirse upsets Phoenix rivals

Henrythenavigator found himself stuck in the testing ground as he conceded his unbeaten record to 25-1 outsider Saoirse Abu in the Independent Waterford Wedgwood Phoenix Stakes at the Curragh.

Aidan O’Brien’s colt, winner of the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot last time, was sent off the 1-2 favourite for the first juvenile Group One of the season in Britain and Ireland.

However, he was encountering far different going from the good to firm he had previously experienced and while he put up a brave fight, rider Kieren Fallon admitted his chance had disappeared as soon as the son of Kingmambo set foot on the track.

He subsequently lost his position as ante-post favourite for next year’s 2000 Guineas with sponsors Stan James.

However, credit must be given to Saoirse Abu, who had not previously shown form of this standard but was fitted with blinkers for the first time by her trainer Jim Bolger.

There were only half a dozen runners but a fair pace was set by Henrythenavigator’s stablemate Warsaw and while Fallon was soon nudging his mount along, Kevin Manning was sitting tight on the rail aboard Saoirse Abu.

Fallon managed to find some progress from Henrythenavigator and drew alongside with a furlong to run but his rival, one of three fillies in the race, found more under pressure and came home a length clear.

Ger Lyons’ Queen Mary Stakes winner Elletelle was slowly away from the stalls but was fairly beaten a length and three-quarters back in third.

This was Bolger’s third Phoenix Stakes since 1994, although he was interrupting O’Brien’s amazing sequence of landing eight of the last nine renewals.

“I did not back her but I think it took the real Henry The Navigator (a 15th century explorer) 15 attempts to get around the Cape Of Good Hope, so I always thought it might happen,” quipped Bolger.

Saoirse Abu shares the same sire as Bolger’s dual 1000 Guineas winner Finsceal Beo, although that filly is not said to like give underfoot.

“This is a soft-ground Mr Greeley, although she doesn’t have to have it soft - she goes on others,” added the trainer.

“We did not use her enough at Leopardstown last time (when third in a Listed race) and I would have been happy to run her without blinkers, but you have to use all the aids available.

“She was brave and we will have to go for a mile at some point – she will get the trip.”

The filly was cut to 14-1 from 33s for the 2008 1000 Guineas by Boylesports, although she is 16s with William Hill and a more conservative 33s with Cashmans.

However, Bolger hinted at her next start by inquiring: “What price is she for the Moyglare Stakes (back at the track in three weeks’ time)? We might look at that.”

Henrythenavigator was eased to 10s from 8-1 by Stan James for the 2000 Guineas, with Godolphin’s Rio De La Plata the new 9-1 favourite.

Fallon reported: “It was always going to be a struggle on that ground. I knew we were in trouble going down to the start.”

O’Brien added: “The ground was very deep – it was point-to-point ground. But that’s the way it goes.

“When you start off in Group Ones, you always hope for improvement and we’ll just have to see how he is now.”

The Loan Express had every chance in fourth while the sole British raider Captain Royale was last.

His trainer Jeremy Noseda had no explanation for his runner’s performance, adding: “He goes on the ground.”