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Mark Nunan

Mark Nunan

Elizabeth prevails in Ulster Oaks

Fri 24th Jul 2020, 15:37

Elizabethofaragon and Wayne Lordan (near) beat Wilderness by a neckElizabethofaragon and Wayne Lordan (near) beat Wilderness by a neck
© Photo Healy Racing

Going for a four-timer of her own, the front-running Wilderness 4/1 fav) almost gave Johnny Murtagh a treble on the card but she was headed close home in the BoyleSports Ulster Oaks by Elizabethofaragon (6/1).

Aidan O’Brien’s filly had closed on the leader with a furlong to race, and gradually edged to the front in the final strides to win by a neck. Too Soon To Panic was three lengths away in third.

The winning Galileo filly, a half-sister to Racing Post Trophy winner Kingsbarns, was a winner on her handicap bow at Leopardstown off a mark of 64, having finished no better than tenth in three maiden runs.

Winning rider Wayne Lordan said: "It was a mile and a half the last day and she was coming back two furlongs, so it wasn't going to be ideal here on a track like this because it is quite sharp.

"She had to dig deep and she fought hard for me.

"She is by Galileo and you never know when they stop improving. She is a filly that is starting to improve, so you wouldn't know where she would end up.

"I definitely think she wants a mile and a half as she stays really well. She is very tough and genuine. A mile and a half is key to her.

"It was beautiful, safe ground out there."

Additional reporting by Michael Graham

About Mark Nunan
Mark has followed racing since he was a teenager and worked for many years as a broadcaster with the Irish version of Racecall. He joined the Press Association in 2019 and is also a contributor to the Racing Post. A native of Kildare, he now lives in Sligo.