Artiste completes quick Killarney double for O'Brien

Joseph O'Brien enjoyed an opening race double at Killarney when Ma Belle Artiste got up close home under Hugh Horgan to take the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Race.

In an almost identical conclusion to the previous contest, Billy Lee had looked to do enough when leading inside the final furlong on Impact Warrior only for the O'Brien runner to mow him down right on the line. Starry Heavens cut out the early running but was pushed along to hold her position early in the straight. At that point, Impact Warrior loomed up travelling ominously well, forcing Lee to the front possibly a fraction sooner that he would have wished.

Ma Belle Artiste was being ridden at the rear of the field over 2f out but to her credit, she responded to the strong drive of her capable apprentice to get her head in front where it mattered.

Brendan Powell said:“ it was a tough performance. She got a bit outpaced early on and needed every yard of the mile. Her first run last year was a very good run, when she won, but she was quite a weak filly and she has grown a lot.

"Even her second was a nice run, and then she probably went a bit weak, so they’ve given her plenty of time. It was a nice performance, she’s very tough, very hardy, and he (Hugh Horgan) said she loved the ground.

“She’s got a nice pedigree and without a doubt she’ll be looking for black type. If anybody finds it, Joseph does.”

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes