Curragh review: Brother Bear books Ascot ticket

Clemmie, a full-sister to Classic hero Churchill, finished an encouraging third behind Gasta on her racecourse debut in the Equisoft Irish EBF Fillies Maiden at the Curragh.

Trainer Aidan O'Brien fielded three runners, with Clemmie joined by stablemates Butterscotch and Snowflakes, the latter a full-sister to this year's 1000 Guineas heroine Winter.

The betting suggested neither of the impeccably-bred pair were expected to set the world alight on their respective introductions but 5/1 shot Clemmie shaped with abundant promise in picking up minor honours.

Ryan Moore gave his mount plenty of time to find her feet and once in the clear against the rail, she fairly flew home and was only beaten a head and the same by Jim Bolger's Gasta (5/1) and Joseph O'Brien's 3/1 favourite Now You're Talking.

Snowflakes finished down the field.

Winning trainer Bolger said: "She was a little bit green but she got the job done.

"There's plenty of improvement in her. She's got a nice turn of foot and I think she'll stay.

"We'll have to give some thought about the Albany (at Royal Ascot). She could do with another run, but even if she doesn't, she still might go."

Rattling Jewel was a 14/1 winner of the Hanlon Concrete Handicap under apprentice jockey Killian Leonard.

Nicole McKenna's charge galloped all the way to the line in the rain-softened ground to see off the hat-trick-seeking Peticoatgovernment by three-quarters of a length.

McKenna said: "He seems to love it here. He ran off the same mark as when he won here last year and the rain has helped him.

"He's been a great servant and I couldn't be happier.

"You work hard to get the results and to get them here is fantastic."

McKenna added: "He gave me my first winner here last year and has been placed a few times.

"He'll probably come back here at the Derby weekend."

Brother Bear kept his unbeaten record intact with an impressive display in the Cold Move Irish EBF Marble Hill Stakes.

Jessica Harrington's colt made a big impression on his debut at Leopardstown three weeks ago and was the 2/1 favourite stepped up to Listed class.

Colm O'Donoghue kept his mount wide and out of trouble and he asserted in taking fashion to score by three lengths from Would Be King.

Sky Bet make the winner a 6/1 chance for the Coventry at Royal Ascot, which Harrington confirmed is on the radar.

Harrington said: "That was fantastic as I was very worried about the ground. I was very impressed with him.

"It was good to firm at Leopardstown and he skipped across it but this was the complete opposite.

"He learned from his first run as he was quick out of the stalls. He rolled around a bit on the ground in front, but you would expect that.

"The Coventry Stakes is more than likely where he'll go if all is all right, but he has to step up again."

Creggs Pipes dominated from the front in the Lanwades Stud Stakes. Andrew Slattery's star mare was a 3-1 shot in the hands of Declan McDonogh after a fine effort to finish third in the Blue Wind Stakes at Naas a couple of weeks ago.

The five-year-old enjoyed herself in front from flag-fall and was not for catching in the testing ground, coming home three and three-quarter lengths clear of Opal Tiara.

Trainer Andrew Slattery said: "She was in season on Friday morning but Evan Arkwright (Curragh commercial manager) rang me just before 10 o'clock to say there was only four in the race and we said we'd take our chance.

"Everything was in her favour with the ground and the trip.

"That is my biggest winner, and we'll go to Royal Ascot now for the Duke of Cambridge."

Jim Bolger and Kevin Manning book-ended the card when Glamorous Approach (7-2 favourite) won the concluding mile-and-a-half handicap.

Manning said: "It was a hard old slog up that straight and she kept pulling more out.

"It's been a great day."

Bolger said: "She seems to be back to herself now. "She can always step up (in class), but we'll see how the handicapper treats her for (Royal) Ascot first, as there might be something for her there."