1,2 for Oxx as Manieree beat Kirinda

Under an enterprising front running ride from her jockey Niall McCullagh, Manieree took the Group 3, Kilboy Estate Stakes for her trainer John Oxx and owner Maxwell Morris.

The 3yo daughter of Medicean, was having her sixth run today, having won just one, that being her maiden last October, when beating the Oaks favourite Wonder of Wonders into second at Leopardstown.

On her three efforts since she failed to score but went very close on her last run when beaten into fifth in a bunch finish to the Listed Nijinsky Stakes at Leopardstown. Eirnin led the field out of the stalls and looked as if she would make the running, however Manieree was pushed on by McCullagh and soon went clear.

The 7/1 chance was still clear turning into the straight and responded well under pressure to fend off all challengers all the way to the line.

Her stablemate Kirinda (7/1) under Johnny Murtagh, looked to be travelling best two furlongs out but had too much ground to make up, as she flew home to take second a length and three parts behind.

Claiomh Solas was a further half a length back in third at 5/1, while the 2/1 favourite Wild Wind could only manage seventh under Ryan Moore for Aidan O'Brien having being backed from as big as 4/1 this morning.

Winning trainer John Oxx said afterwards: "There was nothing terrible about that race, I had first and second.

"She (Manieree) is an interesting filly and wants softer ground and further. She burnt them all off early in the straight.

"Kirinda was held up and might have been closer.

"The winner is a good filly, with a patient owner as she needs soft ground and after the dry months that type of ground was hard to get.

"The owners want to keep her as they will bred from her in time.

"She could step up in company on heavy, heavy ground.

"She has plenty of options now and could go for the Give Thanks Stakes (at Cork) or a race at Gowran in mid August."

Donal Murphy