Whirl shows battling qualities to land Group 3 under Lordan

The Aidan O'Brien trained Whirl made most under Wayne Lordan to win the Group 3 Staffordstown Stud Stakes (Fillies) at the Curragh.

Having shown promise on her first two runs, the daughter of Wootton Bassett got off the mark at the third time of asking when winning her maiden at Doncaster last month.

Sent off 6/1 here, Whirl was prominent in the initial stages before taking up the running after a furlong.

Pressing on entering the eventual winner looked set to be swallowed up over a furlong out as And So To Bed Celtic Motif 10/11f Giselle threw down strong challenges.

However, once And So To Bed ranged up alongside inside the final furlong, Whirl pulled out more to go on to score by half-a-length.

“I'm delighted with them, they ran very well,” said O'Brien.

“Ryan's filly(Giselle) was a bit babyish and a bit green. He was trying to teach her, which was the right thing to do.

“He was delighted with her. He said she wasn't there yet, he said she got there and got a little bit tired with him.

“She had a big hold up. I ran her because I thought we'd get Ryan over because I needed him to sit on her again. The experience will do her good for next year.

“Wayne's filly(Whirl) has more experience, she got out there and is tough and found plenty.

“Ronan(Whelan on Island Hopping was very happy with his filly who came home very well. He said she'll be a group filly next year and she'd get a mile-and-a-quarter easy.

“Wayne gave the winner a lovely ride. He went his pace and he was left alone in front.

“It's amazing with those Wootton Bassett's, one after another they are coming. They just get better the more you train them.”

Paddy Powers went 33/1 about Whirling for 1000 Guineas.

Additional reporting by Gary Carson.