Givemethebeatboys (Shane Foley, left) beats Kind Of Blue (Daniel Muscatt)© Photo Healy Racing
Much to the delight of the home contingent finally one of the big sprints went the way of the Irish, the Group Three FBD Hotels And Resorts Heritage Hotel Phoenix Sprint Stakes going to Givemethebeatboys at the Curragh.
Always to the fore the Jessica Harrington-trained and Shane Foley-ridden three-year-old left a Royal Ascot 'no show' in the rear view mirror to defeat English-trained market-leader Kind Of Blue by a head. My Mate Alfie came home well for third, a half a length adrift, whilst Big Gossey again performed with credit, a short head back in fourth.
Mrs Harrington's daughter Kate said in the aftermath: “It’s lovely for him to win as the Sands family (part owners Bronsan Racing) had a tragic farming accident this week and the funeral is today.
“It’s great to get the horse back on track after Ascot. He had an abscess underneath his lip the size of a golf ball and had an operation to have it removed about three weeks ago.
“Shane said he took a little blow half-a-furlong down, so he’ll improve plenty from that. Con (Marnane) took him back to have a little break in Bansha after Ascot and it’s great to have him back.
“I’d say all roads lead now to Haydock for the Betfair Sprint Cup.
“He did a lovely bit of work in Naas last week. Shane said he gave him a feel today like he hadn’t done before, and he’ll improve again.”
16/1 (from 25/1) with the sponsors for the Betfair Sprint Cup.
(AM & EM)
