Samitar stuns Guineas rivals

Samitar gave trainer Mick Channon and young jockey Martin Harley their first taste of Classic glory with a surprise victory in the Etihad Airway Irish 1,000 Guineas at the Curragh.

The 12-1 chance had shown some smart form as a juvenile but looked to have plenty on her plate, having finished down the field at Newmarket and in the French 1000 Guineas on her two starts this year.

Aidan O’Brien’s Newmarket 1000 Guineas heroine Homecoming Queen was once again sent to the front by Joseph O’Brien, but this time she weakened tamely in the straight.

Harley cut a confident figure as he loomed up on Samitar, who she finished her race off well to score by a length and a half from the O’Brien-trained outsider Ishvana.

Harley said: ``She's been working good and a big thanks to the boss and the staff back home.

“Two furlongs down she was never going to get beat – she was travelling like the winner all the way. It’s an amazing feeling.”