Valuable bracket for Ali Babes

The three-year-old handicap over six furlongs saw Ali Babes (12/1) gain a valuable bracket in the hands of Gavin Ryan.

The daughter of Alhebayeb, who had made the frame in a couple of maidens before today, tracked the leaders towards the far side and was produced to challenge over a furlong out. She edged ahead of the always-prominent Empress Of Bough inside the final furlong and was ridden out to beat that one by half a length, with Dutch Gold the same distance back in third.

Ali Babes is a half-sister to dual Group 1 winner A Case Of You.

Garrett Hassett, son of winning owner/trainer Paddy Hassett, said: "This is a lovely filly who we bought at the yearling sales. We had her at the breeze-ups but she went unsold and we brought her home.

"She is by Alhebayeb who is the sire of Maggie Thunder who won three races for me. I had also seen A Case Of You race, thought he would be a good horse and bought her on the strength of that.

"We'll keep her in ordinary company but we'll see where she takes us. I have a plan, which includes getting black-type eventually next year, and will work back from there. Alhebayebs all want time and she'll be a better filly next year.

"She will be a great foundation mare, is beautiful and correct, has size and has a very good attitude. We breed a few so she will enter the broodmare band."

He clarified: "Instead of playing golf we train horses and have three in training. My father, a vet from Quin, Co Clare, is training 50 years and goes by 'PJ Hassett' but our unrelated neighbour Malachy Hassett goes by 'PJF Hassett'."

Quotes from Tom Weekes