Ansgar, whip raised, dominates at the Curragh© Photo Healy Racing
Pat Smullen made all on Ansgar (8/1) and won the Group 3 Minstrel Stakes at the Curragh by a length.
The six-year-old gelding looked to have a serious challenge on his hands as 6/4 favourite Darwin travelled sweetly behind him to the two pole. Last year’s winner was asked to go and win the race a furlong out, but he didn’t reel in Ansgar and went down by a length. Eastern Rules was an eyecatching third having switched inside when racing in rear behind horse. He charged home to be never nearer in third, beaten a length and a neck.
Pat Smullen said: “He’s a free going type of horse. He’s a big horse and has a good action. She did very well to get him back from Ascot. He’s 100 per cent genuine and kept going and put it up to them. One or two of them in behind, their attitude or stamina could be questionable.
“He likes to go from the front and I got through the first two furlongs very handy. In the last furlong he was feeling that splint that was giving him problems.”
Sabrina Harty said: “That’s fantastic and the horse really deserves it. He’s had so many holdups. He had kissing spines last year and sore shins two years ago. He had a splint in May and he was lame after Ascot.
“He’s a proper horse if he didn’t have problems all the time. He’s a massive horse, 16 2, and growing all the time. I’m delighted for the owners (Mrs Chynel Phelan/Shane Fox). He’s entered in a Group 3 at Leopardstown on the 14th August.”
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
