Ceylon revels in the testing ground

As a daughter of Authorized, with a previous heavy ground win to her name, it wasn't surprising to see Ceylon cope so well with the testing conditions, when victorious under Ronan Whelan in the Behans Horseshoe Bar & Restaurant Handicap at Listowel.

Five to one chance Ceylon chased the leaders in this fourteen furlong heat, before taking over turning in.

She soon asserted and kept on well for an easy five length win from Face Value

"She ran a very very good race at the Curragh, and I knew she'd go on the ground as it was as bad when she won at Sligo previously," explained Patrick Prendergast, who has care of Ceylon for her owner/breeder Rick Barnes.

"She's a good looking mare and I'll try her in a black-type race now. If the ground was heavy, it's not beyond her, and the Loughbrown Stakes (at The Curragh on Sunday week) is an option."

The Turf Club Veterinary Officer examined Spacious Sky (USA), trained by A.J.Martin, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be post race normal. Samples were taken for analysis.

(TW & EM)