Review of the action from Saturday's meeting at the Curragh
Review of the action from Saturday's meeting at the Curragh where Aidan O'Brien dominated proceedings.
Cambridgeshire romp for Kenya
Kenya turned the Tote Irish Cambridgeshire into a procession on a day of Aidan O'Brien dominance at the Curragh.
A Group Three winner as a juvenile, he had been bitterly disappointing in three starts to date this year but was reappearing after a 90-day absence.
Making his debut in handicap company, Kenya was sent off at 20-1 under Seamie Heffernan but those who had taken a punt at big odds never had a moment of worry.
He looked the proverbial Group horse in a handicap as he cruised to a three-and-a-half-length win from Katiymann, who just got the better of Turbine for second.
It was a fourth winner on the card for O'Brien, from just five races contested.
"He was just back, but he had the class. He was a Group Three winner," said O'Brien. "He travelled well and saw it out well. We ran him over a mile and a quarter earlier in the year and we were going too far with him."
He added: "Seamus was very happy with him. He could go to Leopardstown in about three weeks for a Group Three race over a mile. He's also in the Boomerang on Champions Weekend."
What a day for Aidan O'Brien as Kenya bolts up in the Tote Irish Cambridgeshire at @curraghrace, bringing up a four-timer for @Ballydoyle! pic.twitter.com/122O2w2Ejk
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) September 1, 2018
Wonderful win for O'Brien
Just Wonderful produced an impressive performance to land the Flame Of Tara Irish EBF Stakes at the Curragh.
Having her first try at a mile, the O'Brien-trained Dansili filly - who started favourite for the Albany Stakes at Royal Ascot - was given a confident ride at the rear of the field by Donnacha O'Brien.
Up front, stablemate Peach Tree still held a clear advantage with two furlongs to run, but 7-4 favourite Just Wonderful picked up to make smooth headway one and a half out.
Having swiftly collared the leader, she went away nicely to score by a length and a half.
O'Brien said: "We weren't sure about her getting the mile, but Donnacha was very happy. She has a lot of ability and probably likes coming from behind a little bit. We couldn't be happier.
"He put her asleep and she relaxed lovely for him. The (Prix Marcel) Boussac (at ParisLongchamp) and those races are all there for her."
He added: "The lovely thing about her is that she's a great traveller, she's very smooth through a race and gets there very easily. She probably wouldn't want to be there (in front) too long."
It's a 1-2-3 for Aidan O'Brien as Just Wonderful quickens smartly to take the Group 3 Flame Of Tara Irish EBF Stakes at @curraghrace: pic.twitter.com/ldxCvhGDqe
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) September 1, 2018
Opera on song in opener
It was a quick double on the card for the O'Brien duo, who took the opening maiden with Sydney Opera House.
O'Brien said of the 5-4 favourite, who is a son of Australia: "We're very happy with him and he has options now, maybe the Beresford."
The winner holds entries in the KPMG Champions Juvenile Stakes and the National Stakes on Irish Champions Weekend and O'Brien said he could possibly line up in one of those.
"They are coming out of their races well. We've two weeks and he could go there," he said.
Fancy winner of Snow Fairy
I'm So Fancy just edged British raider Desert Diamond in the Snow Fairy Fillies Stakes.
Last seen winning at York in July, the latter was sent off the 5-2 market leader and was never far from the pace set initially by Adorable, racing in fourth alongside the eventual winner.
Chris Hayes and Desert Diamond were poised with three furlongs from home and hit the front over a furlong out, but were quickly joined by the Colm O'Donoghue-ridden I'm So Fancy (4-1).
Desert Diamond refused to go down without a fight, but Jessica Harrington's four-year-old proved the stronger, taking the Group Three spoils by half a length from Sir Michael Stoute's year-younger runner.
Kate Harrington, assistant to her mother, said: "She's so tough and that's her third win at the Curragh now. She's won two Listed races, been placed in a Group Two and has now won a Group Three.
"She was a bit unlucky in France as she had to make her own running and got swallowed up in the last 100 yards. She'll be back here for the Blandford on Champions Weekend."
I'm So Fancy digs deep to score in the Group 3 Snow Fairy Fillies Stakes for @Jessica_Racing at @curraghrace: pic.twitter.com/bfLuav4gd8
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) September 1, 2018
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