Review CORK 12TH JUN

Feature event at Cork today was the Group 3 Kerry Group EBF Noblesse Stakes which went to Kevin Prendergast's Right Key under stable jockey Declan McDonogh.

McDonogh tracked the leaders before moving the daughter of Key Of Luck through to lead inside the final furlong for a half length win over Unique Pose, with Saintly Rachel a head away in third.

Prendergast was racing at Roscommon while owner Lady O'Reilly was represented by her racing manager James Kelly who reported 'she is a very temperamental filly and the lads at home have done a great job.'

He added 'she has a lot of options although she will probably go for the Pretty Polly Stakes at The Curragh over the Derby weekend.

We decided to bypass the Ribblesdale Stakes because the prizemoney is so good in Ireland at the moment.'

The Listed Kerry Spring Water Rochestown Stakes went to the Dermot Weld's newcomer Golden Arrow (8/1 SP, 16/1 on the Tote), who asserted his superiority in the closing stages to defeat five previous winners.

Weld was absent but winning jockey Pat Smullen later reported 'he's not overly big but has a good heart. He knew his job and is a nice horse.'

First time winning jockey Brian Carey, on Dego Dante, was not going to let the Move Over Butter Handicap Hurdle slip though his hands and the 18 year old rode like a man inspired, to force Aengus King's horse to win by 1/2l.

Carey, from Croom, Co Limerick and a former champion pony rider, is based with trainer John Murphy in Cork while the win was his first following numerous placed rides.

The opening Golden Olive Maiden provided an impressive winner with Michael Halford's Leitra scoring an easy four length win over Sweet Afton.

The daughter of Danehill Dancer made most of the running before stretching clear of her rivals from over a furlong out, under Johnny Murtagh.

Halford, now established as one of the biggest trainers in the country, later reported 'that was a good effort and she obviously has come on a lot since her Leopardstown run.'

He added 'she could improve further and we'll step her up in class now over a similar trip.'

The ever energetic Ken Whelan gave Oran Climate a strong drive to win the Kerry Group Handicap Hurdle while a bold jump at the last helped Dessie Hughes' Robert win the Low Low Novice Hurdle under Paddy Flood.