Bebhinn impresses in Listed company

Bebhinn was unleashed by Kevin Prendergast off a break of 164 days to romp home in the Listed Blenheim Stakes at Fairyhouse.

The 8/1 chance had run second in the first juvenile race of the season at the end of March at the Curragh before beating Special Focus by four and a half lengths in a Navan maiden in April.

In today's feature she tracked Vitello in second before easing her way to the head of affairs with a furlong and a half to travel. She was still tanking along as her rivals all came off the bridle.

Chris Hayes asked her to go on and win her race and she readily forged her way home. Juliette Fair (7/2jf) and Miss Katie Mae (7/2jf) closed into second and third respectively without threatening the winner.

"That's why the boss is who he is. This has been the plan for the last six weeks. He could have been tempted with something higher," Chris Hayes said.

"He told me to keep it simple and straightforward. She'll improve a lot.

"She travelled with such ease and when I gave her a squeeze she blew up a furlong-and-a-half out. Her class got her home.

"I don't know where she'll go but she's very exciting.

"It's some training performance after that length of a break. To leave her off in a paddock and forget about her for two months - genius."

Owner Jeremy Harley added: "We're in no hurry with her. She's done everything Kevin said she would.

"She has the option of the Cornwallis, which is at Newmarket, and there is also a fillies listed race at Ascot at the end of next month. She may not run again this year though.

"Chris was delighted with her and said she'll come on for the run. It's a brilliant training performance. It hasn't been plain sailing and she's grown and grown.

"Kevin thought she was a very special filly in the spring. She might not run again this year but she'll be a nice three-year-old sprinter next year."

Additional reporting by Gary Carson