Clever And Cool gets up in the final strides© Photo Healy Racing
The well-backed Clever And Cool gunned down Matilda Picotte to lift the Group 3 Coolmore Stud No Nay Never Fairy Bridge Stakes in Tipperary.
Not for the first time, she was tardy from the gates and had to race in ninth of the 10 runners over this extended seven furlongs.
Conversely, Matilda Picotte got away swiftly and led the field. She asserted to be four lengths clear after two and a-half furlongs and was enjoying herself out in front. Lady Onyx and Bella Blue Eyes cut into the lead at the halfway stage but the leader kicked on again for Colin Keane a furlong and a-half from home.
Clever And Cool was noted making headway down the outer and Rory Cleary drove her into a threatening position in the final 150 yards.
Jim Bolger 's filly soon took aim at Matilda Picotte and passed her in the final strides to score by half a length at 6/1 having been 14/1 in the morning.
Matilda Picotte certainly ran well in second at 4/1 and was the same distance in front of Miramis (22/1).
Travelling Head Man Ger Flynn said: "She didn't run a bad race in the Cesarewitch up the Curragh the last day when only beaten five lengths but is her own worst enemy by dwelling coming out of the gates, despite the boss doing plenty work with her.
"On her last few runs she has been showing us what she is showing us at home and while she dwelt at the start again today, Rory said he was always confident she could get there and she went away and won well.
"That's Listed and Group 3 wins now and if she ever jumps, there's a big one in her. You wouldn't think she's had four races in the last four weeks, her skin is like a seal. She is in the (Group 1) Matron on Saturday and the boss never shrugs a challenge - you have to be tough to be in Jim's and she's tough."
The Raceday Stewards interviewed R.P. Cleary, rider of Clever And Cool, concerning his use of the whip in the closing stages of this race. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned who stated he used the whip numerous times in front of the saddle as he felt his filly was lying in on top of the horse beside him. Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence the Raceday Stewards were satisfied that R.P. Cleary was in breach of R10.3(a) by striking his mount in front of the saddle while the whip is in the forehand position and of R10.3(g) by using his whip with excessive frequency and having considered his record, they suspended him for five racedays.
Paddy Power cut Clever And Cool from 25/1 to 16/1 for the Matron Stakes.
Additional reporting by Tom Weekes
