Classy Mehnah returns from injury to win Killarney feature

The 2/1 favourite Mehnah ridden by Chris Hayes, put up a classy performance to land the Listed Irish Stallion Farms EBF Cairn Rouge Stakes.

Drawn wide, Hayes settled his mount in mid-division and asked her to improve racing to the two furlong marker.

The daughter of Frankel had plenty to do at that point but finished with real gusto to hit the front in the final 100 yards.

She scored by three quarters of a length from Emaniya (33/1) with the front-running Thinking Of You (18/1) another length away in third.

A fast-finishing second in a Guineas Trial at Leopardstown in the spring, this was Kevin Prendergast’s charge first run since then after an injury had ruled her out of a Classic campaign.

Hayes said: "She had an awkward niggly injury ten days before the Guineas and it was baby steps since making sure it didn't come back. It is a muscle up high behind and she was very under-cooked but fit enough for today's level - we have her 75-80% fit.

"I'd imagine he'll (Prendergast) want to go up in trip with her and maybe the Group 3 over 1m1f at Gowran could be a target. I think she is a Group 1 filly and I think she would be a good ride in the Matron or Sun Chariot.

"People don't realise, but (from stall 16) you are basically on the road and have to cover a lot of ground. I got in as best I could, but from two and a half furlongs down I've had to come widest of all and she has taken a blow.

"She is a very good filly."

Quotes from Thomas Weekes