Illuminazione beats Honey to follow-up on barrier trial success

Illuminazione followed-up on a recent barrier trial success, as she overturned Honey Girl in the William Hill Lengthen Your Odds Maiden.

The Joseph O'Brien trained victor won a barrier trial here just last Tuesday and making her official debut this afternoon, she was sent off a 9/2 chance in the colours of O’Brien’s mother Annmarie.

Settled in second by Declan McDonagh, the daughter of Caravaggio was pushed along to challenge the front running Honey Girl from the two furlong pole.

The pair had a good battle the whole way up the straight, with just a nose separating them at the line.

The runner-up, who was placed at Group 3 level and was sixth in the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot, was returned the 1-5 favourite under Ben Coen for Henry de Bromhead.

The Michael O'Callaghan trained Footsteps In Qatar (12/1) completed the places, another three-and-three-parts of a lengths back in third.

McDonogh said in the aftermath: "She barrier trialled here and she trialled well. We were pretty confident coming here that we could give the favourite a shake-up.

"I think she's a nice filly and she showed good attitude there. She will probably go a little bit further.

"She's from a tough family, she's a relation of Visualisation who is a very good horse for Joseph. Onwards and upwards for her."

STEWARDS REPORTS

The Stewards interviewed B.M. Coen, rider of Honey Girl (GB), concerning his use of the whip in closing stages of this race. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned who stated that the second and third strikes were for corrective purposes. Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence the Stewards were satisfied that B.M. Coen was in breach of R10.3(g) and having considered his record, they suspended him for 7 racedays.

B.M. Coen, rider of Honey Girl (GB) trained by Henry de Bromhead, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount got upset in the stalls.

Additional reporting by Michael Graham