Yosemite Valley, trained for Flaxman Stables Ireland Ltd by Donnacha O’Brien and confidently handled by Gavin Ryan, ran out a convincing winner of the listed Lester Piggott Gladness Stakes.
The four-year-old Shamardal colt came from off the pace to beat favourite Jumbly by two and three-quarter lengths at the Curragh, prompting his trainer to declare, “That was a good performance – I always thought he was a proper horse. Her has been a bit unlucky a few times. But the step-up to seven furlongs seemed to suit him well.” “
He’ll get away with a stiff six, but he travelled so well today that seven is probably his trip. And all the big seven furlong races are open to him.”
“There are a couple of seven-furlong Grade 1’s for him in France. And, before he goes there, we might look at the (six-furlong) ‘Greenlands’ here on Guineas weekend.”
Not to be overshadowed, brother Joseph O’Brien upstaged their dad Aidan in both two-year-old events, sharing a double with Dylan Browne McMonagle as Midnight Strike and Cowardofthecounty readily brushed aside favourites from Ballydoyle.
A massively-built Kodi Bear colt, Cowardofthecounty was particularly impressive in the six-furlong Keadeen Hotel Irish EBF Maiden, mastering the smooth-travelling front-runner Whistlejacket at the furlong-pole before forging clear to score by two and a half lengths, the pair stretching six lengths clear of the rest.
“He has looked as if he could be a bit special at home,” admitted Joseph O’Brien, “He’s particularly laid-back and couldn’t have been more impressive. He’s big, over 500Kg., which is unusual for a two-year-old. I’m very excited about him — he has the potential to go straight to the ‘Coventry’ (at Royal Ascot).”
Earlier, Midnight Strike, a son of Starspangledbanner, overcame Ballydoyle colt Treasure Isle by two lengths in the five-furlong event, sparking the Cariganog double. O’Brien commented, “He has shown plenty of pace at home, but you never know until they come to the races. This is only the second time both colts have been on grass. So there should be improvement to come.
“He was ready to start, but we thought five furlongs might be on the short side for him. We didn’t expect him to win like that. But he looks an Ascot horse.”
Bought for €170,000 by Tom Malone, on behalf of Amanda Torrens, Follow Me made a successful Irish debut when getting up late under Shane Foley to foil favourite Eclipse Emerald by a half-length in the six-furlong Treacy Group Maiden.
The 22/1 shot is trained by Ross O’Sullivan, who explained, “he had good form in France, but was a little disappointing. When he arrived before Christmas, he looked like a three-year-old, with size and scope. His home work has been very good and, after this, we have plenty of options. Shane says he has the pace for six furlongs, but won’t have a problem going seven.”
Pick of the handicap action was Magical Vision’s smooth success for Aidan Howard in the Newbridge Silverware Sprint Handicap, the mare’s fourth win from just ten career starts.
Patiently handled by Chris Hayes, the seven-year-old came through powerfully to reverse recent Cork form with favourite Two Stars.
And a delighted Howard said, “We were delighted with her in Cork, when the two that beat her had run already, and were fairly confident today. A strongly-run five furlongs is the job for her. Chris knows her well and everything worked out lovely. I hadn’t looked beyond today, btu there are plenty of sprint handicaps for her – but she won’t run when the ground dries out.”
Wayne Lordan got the Natalia Lupini-trained Redhshore City (9/1) home a narrow winner of the seven-furlong (47-65) Business Plus Handicap while apprentice Wayne Hassett struck on board Denis Cullen’s Zephron (13/2) in the P G Duffy & Sons Citroen Handicap.
