Derby formlines to the fore as Prey wins finale

The famous Killarney maiden race won by subsequent Epsom Derby winner Wings Of Eagles received another ‘boost’ at Gowran today as the runner-up then, Birds Of Prey belatedly got off the mark in the concluding Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden, scoring for trainer John Oxx and jockey Niall McCullagh.

Birds Of Prey was a 9/10 favourite against Wings Of Eagles in last year’s Killarney August festival race and while the Derby winner has since been retired through an injury incurred in the Irish Derby, Birds Of Prey was himself gaining his reward having not raced for 11 months since that August outing.

Today Birds Of Prey was an unfancied 12/1 shot, having been beaten on two starts in June and July this year, but was stepping up to 1m1f for the first time and in the stayed on strongly to overhaul 6/4 favourite and leader World Stage and gain a half length win.

Winning trainer Oxx, who was registering his sixth winner this term, later commented “I was worried about the ground as he’s only run on fast ground. He was working on it in the spring and he went alright on it so we took a chance and he got through it.

“The distance is what’s made the difference. We were running him over a mile being by Sir Prancealot but he obviously enjoyed the step up, and a mile and a quarter is probably the minimum we should keep him at now.

“He’s versatile ground wise and is consistent. Niall gave him a good ride and he’ll go for a handicap next.”

Five of the six runners from the Killarney race have now won races, with Epsom hero Wings Of Eagles, today’s winner Birds Of Prey, thrice-successful Hailstone while fourth placed Perfect Storm and fifth placed Catch A Wave have also each won their respective maidens.

Quotes from Alan Magee