Nighteyes and Danny Tudhope (left)© Photo Healy Racing
English-trained fillies won both Naas' Listed races today with the David O'Meara-trained, Danny Tudhope-partnered Nighteyes (100/30) completing the feat in the Yeomanstown Stud Irish EBF Stakes.
The Night Of Thunder-filly improved her rating from 78 in May to today's 95 perch, and at Naas, arrived from rear-division, met traffic mid-race but improving to lead inside the final furlong and defeat Over The Blues
Tudhope said “I didn't plan on being as far back but she was a bit anxious in the stalls and missed the beat a little bit, although in hindsight it wasn't a bad thing. She's definitely got ability and is improving all the time.
“As a two-year-old we thought she was pretty good but things didn't fall right for her and she bumped into one or two nice ones but has progressed into a lovely three-year-old. She's done nothing wrong this season, keeps improving and deserves to win a Listed race.
“The ways the races have been run tonight, the winners are coming up the near side and she picked up well up the stands' side and won well. I'm delighted and it's great for the owners (Akela Thoroughbreds Limited).”
The half-hour earlier Listed Arqana Irish EBF Marwell Stakes was won by English trainer Karl Burke's Miss Lamai under visiting jockey Clifford Lee.
Quotes from Gary Carson