Review CURRAGH 16TH SEP

Kastoria, under a superbly patient ride by Michael Kinane, upset the supposed 'good-thing' when beating 2/7 favourite Yeats to give trainer John Oxx his third victory in the Irish Field St Leger.

The Selkirk mare was always traveling sweetly for Kinane but the former champion waited until inside the final furlong before driving her past the hot-favourite to score by half a length.

The pair dominated the mile and three quarters race in the straight, drawing ten lengths clear of third-placed The Whistling Teal.

Oxx, successful in this race twice in the late 1980's with Eurobird and Petite Ile, said,'We thought she would run Yeats close in receipt of 3lb and her home work has been terrific lately.'

'She's the type of filly that always has a bit in the tank and needs a good horse to take her along. We will have to discuss plans but the Canadian International at the end of October could be worth a crack.'

Arch Swing looked a filly out of the top drawer when initiating a 692/1 treble on the afternoon for Oxx and Kinane in the Group 3 C L Weld Park Stakes.

After striking the front inside the final quarter mile, she stretched right away from the furlong pole to beat Silk Dress by four and a half lengths.

The odds-on favourite Supposition was not helped by racing very keenly and dropped out well over a furlong out, while Nell Gwyn was hampered at the same stage.

Wayne Lordan on third placed Impetious receiving a three days careless riding ban after his mount edged onto Supposition who in turn hampered Nell Gwyn.

'She's a big, strong filly and her first run was a good one for a filly that was half-asleep. She's idle at home and today was the big step for her.'

'She has a terrific temperament and is in the Prix Marcel Boussac. It's only two weeks away and I'd prefer it was three but we'll see,' said Oxx. She was introduced at a general 20/1 for the 1,000 Guineas.

Rhythm 'N' Blues completed a memorable day for the Oxx/Kinane alliance in the 12f handicap, leading early in the straight to beat King Rama by 1L.

Aidan O'Brien and Seamus Heffernan teamed up to take the opening two races on the card with 'second strings' Beauty Bright and Gstaad for a 389/1 double.

Beauty Bright headed the front-running An Tadh about a furlong out in the Group 3 Ballygallon Stud Renaissance Stakes and stayed on well to beat last year's winner Noelani by 1 1/4L.

'That's a very important win for this filly as time was running out for her. She's fast and being by Danehill will make a lovely broodmare,' said O'Brien.

Facchetti was strongly supported down to evens favourite to take the juvenile sprint maiden for Ballydoyle but lost his chance when hampered early on, while Gstaad (25/1) caught Divert close home.

'He was very coltish on his first run but has progressed well and will appreciate stepping up in distance,' said O'Brien.

Heffernan was given a two days suspension for careless riding following a stewards enquiry into the earlier incident.

Keiren Fallon's day eventually improved when successful aboard Tango Foxtrot in the ten furlongs handicap, the Willie Mullins-trained gelding always prominent to beat the staying on Eagle's Pass by a length.

Nurenberg made all under Rory Cleary in the ten furlongs Premier Handicap, keeping on well under pressure to hold Kevkat by a length and three quarters.

Alan Magee