Blandford Stakes falls to Eleanora Duse

Eleanora Duse just held the flying finish of She's Our Mark to lift the Group Two www.thetote.com Blandford Stakes at the Curragh today.

Third behind Midday in the Yorkshire Oaks, the Sir Michael Stoute-trained filly got first run on her rival and made it count by a nostril.

Ryan Moore made his move on the 3-1 favourite to lead over a furlong out after Long Lashes had gone on.

Eleanora Duse looked to have the race in the bag but was all out in the end to keep She’s Our Mark at bay by a short head, with Choose Me just a head back in third.

Peter Reynolds, for owners Ballymacoll Stud, said: “Ryan said it was a messy race as the pace was very slow. They dawdled and he always had to be where he was. The ground was a bit sticky and she is more of a mile-and-a-half filly.

“That’s our best win of the year. We have no Conduit this year. Eleanora Duse is a good tough mare and she is improving. Hopefully she’ll race for us next year, too.

“She is in a Group Two on the Saturday of the Arc weekend, but she might have enough done now. We’ll leave it up to Sir Michael.”