On A Pedestal is driven out by Ana O'Brien© Photo Healy Racing
Ana O'Brien guided the tricky On A Pedestal to her maiden victory in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Handicap.
Second on her last three starts the Aidan O'Brien trained daughter of Montjeu is clearly not the most straightforward.
Settled in third on the outer she dropped to fourth as they approached the straight. She was ridden to challenge from two furlongs out and hit the front at the furlong pole, keeping on well from there to score by a length and a quarter.
The winner swished her tail under pressure while she also drifted left in the closing stages.
She was returned the well-backed 3/1 favourite having opened on-course at 4's. Sidra (5/1) just held on to take second under Pat Smullen for Dermot Weld and she was a short head in front of Princess Aloof (4/1) and Water Spirit (7/1) who dead-heated for third.
Ana O'Brien said afterwards: "She had been unlucky but had run some very good races. I'm delighted she has got her head in front and she's not too bad I think."
STEWARDS REPORT
The Stewards enquired into an incident near the one furlong marker on the first circuit involving Princess Aloof, ridden by S. Corby, placed third and On A Pedestal, ridden by Anastasia O'Brien, placed first, where it appeared that Princess Aloof ran short of room and had to check. Evidence was heard from the riders concerned. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards were of the opinion that the incident was caused by Anastasia O'Brien riding carelessly and consequently they severely cautioned her having taken her clean previous record into consideration. John Power, Acting Steward, absented himself from this enquiry.
Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes
