Celestial Orbit springs 33-1 surprise as Irish racing makes history at the Curragh
CLASSIC CONTENDER: The Johnny Murtagh-trained Chasing Paradise wins the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Median Auction Fillies Maiden in the hands of Ben Coen win for trainer Johnny Murtagh. Picture: Healy Racing
History was made at the Curragh as Irish racing took place for the first time on Good Friday with on-course bookmakers sponsoring free entry for racegoers and Joseph O’Brien enjoyed a dream result in the featured Irish Stallion Farms EBF Park Express Stakes where 33-1 shot Celestial Orbit beat stablemate Princess Child (22-1).
Celestial Orbit showed a smart turn of foot in this Group 3 event to go three lengths clear at the furlong pole and Joey Sheridan’s mount had enough in reserve to hold off Princess Child by half a length with 5-6 favourite Faiyum running quite freely before keeping on a further two lengths back in third.
“She came over from Ollie Sangster and he said she was a very talented filly but we needed to find ground as heavy as possible,” said O’Brien. “She was potentially in to be covered this spring, so we’ll see what the guys want to do. I was delighted with Princess Child as well who came right back to form.”
Nathan Crosse opened his account for the new Flat season in some style when landing the €100,000 1xBet.ie Emerald Cup Premier Handicap aboard Fiver Friday, who travelled well to lead a furlong out and soon stretched clear to beat Ribee by nearly four lengths.
“It’s a wonderful pot to win. She got all the luck in running and won snug in the end. She will have plenty of options over the summer and could go back over hurdles at Punchestown,” said trainer Gavin Cromwell of the 11-2 winner.
Ribee’s trainer Mick Mulvany pulled off a real giant-killing act in the opening juvenile maiden where Lars Soldier, who cost just €3,500 as a yearling, beat the 1.7m guineas Confucius in an exciting finish. The Wesley Joyce-ridden 18-1 winner collared the pace-setting Edward Thatch about 100 yards out before holding off the strong finishing runner-up by a nose.
Johnny Murtagh sent out his first winner of the new campaign with Chasing Paradise who has Classic aspirations after justifying 2-1 favouritism in decisive fashion in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Median Auction Fillies Maiden (Smullen Series). “Her work has been good, and Ben (Coen) said she got through the ground well. She has an entry in the Irish Oaks, so she’ll take a trial in now and I think she’ll improve on better ground,” said Murtagh.
Staysound Susie continued a great recent run of success for trainer Andy Slattery when landing the €50,000 1xBet.ie Supports Safe Gambling Irish EBF Fillies Sprint Handicap. The 11-4 favourite didn’t enjoy the clearest of passages before coming home strongly inside the final furlong under Jimmy Dalton to beat Glory To Be by a neck in a blanket finish. “Hopefully we can get a bit of black type for her and she’s as honest as the day is long. She loves this ground,” said Slattery who saddled doubles at both the Curragh last Saturday and Navan on Monday.
Key Witness, trained by Pat Flynn and ridden by Alan Persse, followed up a course win last backend when making virtually all in the other €50,000 handicap on the card, the 1xBet.ie Proudly Supporting Irish Racing Mile Handicap. The 16-1 chance poached a lead of about three lengths over two furlongs out and just held on by a shorthead from Diego El Queso.
The Cheltenham Bumper winning team of Noel Meade and Colin Keane teamed up for a 131-1 double in the closing two races with Galileo Noir and Layfayette. Galileo Noir led over a furlong out and kept on under pressure to justify odds of 11-1 in the Feel The Rush With 1xBet.ie Easter Irish EBF Maiden, while veteran Layfayette (10-1) turned the clock back when coming from off the pace to beat A Piece Of Heaven by three-quarters of a length when stepping up to 1m6f in the Your Game. Your Odds. Your 1xBet.ie Stayers Trophy Race.
