Enterprising ride helps Maud Gonne to maiden win

Trainer Jessica Harrington and stable jockey Shane Foley were on the mark in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF (Fillies) Maiden at Gowran today as Maud Gonne Spirit seemed to benefit from an enterprising ride from the Jockeys' Championship-leader.

Foley held up Maud Gonne Spirit behind the leaders for the first half of the race but entering the home straight, brought the daughter of Intello to the stands' side rail, for better ground, as the pair then raced apart from the remaining runners.

Maud Gonne Spirit quickened well in the closing stages and at the line held inside-rail runner Pirate Lass by three parts of a length.

Maud Gonne Spirit, the 7/4 favourite, had previously finished third on debut at Roscommon on June 22 and following this his 31st winner of the season (eight winners clear of pursuing Colin Keane), Foley explained “I walked the track beforehand and I thought it was a bit better over here (stands’ side). You have to take a chance and give away a bit of ground but they went hard enough that I was able to do it.

“She’s a grand filly and she had a good run the first day. She was entitled to do that and will stay further.”

Quotes from Alan Magee