Ben Coen and Champers Elysees in full cry© Photo Healy Racing
Champers Elysees proved more than able for the step up in class to Listed company in Galway.
Punters factored in the red-hot form of her trainer, Johnny Murtagh, in sending her off 15/8 favourite for his seven-furlong test for fillies . Inhale set an honest pace as Ben Coen and Champers Elysees kept an eye on her in fourth.
When Coen asked his mount to go after the horses in front of her out of the dip, the response was immediate at the two pole where she improved to second.
Inhale was soon swallowed up approaching the home bend as Champers Elysees strode away.
She drew further and further clear in the final furlong to prevail by seven lengths. Auxilia came through for second at 14/1. She was half a length up on A New Dawn (6/1).
This was Coen's 15th winner of the season. Murtagh continued his blistering form with a 28th success for his stable this campaign.
Johnny Murtagh said: “But for a little bit of a technicality she’d be sold to the US and thankfully they (Fitzwilliam Racing) kept her.
“I thought the best was still to come from her and it’ll be the Fairy Bridge Stakes for her next.
“In fairness to Danny Sheehy he said she was flying, and he rides her in all of her work.
“I was very, very impressed and I have to say surprised. Hopefully she can step up but if she stays the same she’ll do me.
“It’s Fitzwilliam Racing’s track after the likes of Baba Boom winning for them here before.
“Ben (Coen) has the talent and I’ve a good team of jockeys all told. They just need to keep stepping forward now."
Additional reporting by Eamonn Murphy
