Rain makes it three for O'Brien

Rain Goddess made it a treble on the card for Aidan O'Brien, as she took the Group 3 Snow Fairy Fillies Stakes.

A good second in the Sandringham at Royal Ascot in June, the daughter of Galileo again filled the runner-up spot in the Pretty Polly and the Irish Oaks.

She was a disappointing eighth in the Beverly D. Stakes at Arlington on her last start, and was sent off an 11/4 joint-favourite this afternoon.

Ryan Moore, who earlier took the third on U S Navy Flag was aboard the bay victor, and she was settled in second as stable mate Key To My Heart set the pace.

The winner ridden to challenge from the furlong pole, and soon edged to the front, keeping on well in the closing stages to score by half a length.

The Michael Stoute trained Intimation was the other joint-favourite, and she kept on well to take second under Colin Keane.

Fellow UK raider Dawn Of Hope (8/1) was another half a length back in third for Andrea Atzeni and Roger Varian.

O'Brien, who won earlier with Saxon Warrior and U S Navy Flag, said afterwards: "It was great to get her back. She's a very well bred filly and Ryan gave her a great ride.

"The last day in American she was just drawn out a little bit too far.

"She had very good form as she was placed in two Group Ones. To win a Group 3 is very important to her.

"That's about her trip. Even though she ran over a mile-and-a-half I'd say probably a mile-and-a-furlong or a mile-and-a-quarter is her trip.

"The Blandford looks perfect for her. After winning that we can travel with her, it's a big help. The pressure is off once she's won a group race.

"The Blandford then you'd never know she could go for the fillies race in America at the end. I think it's a mile-and-a-furlong this year."

Additional reporting by Gary Carson