Eddie Lynam saddled his first Group winner for Lady O'Reilly as Red Feather landed the featured International Stakes on the Ladbrokes sponsored card at the Curragh, while One Cool Cat could only manage a disappointing fifth.
The Marju filly benefited from the step up to a mile in this Group 3 event, making all under Niall McCullagh and asserting over a furlong out to beat Trefflich by two and a half lengths. One Cool Cat made little impression following a three month lay-off since the 2,000 Guineas, with the 1/2 favourite beaten over six lengths in fifth.
'Our horses have started to hit a bit of form. This filly's real talent is her cruising speed, and the step up in trip helped. The two fillies that beat her at Leopardstown are very good and I'm delighted for Lady O'Reilly, who has been very good to me, that she now has a good filly for the paddocks,' said Lynam.
Aidan O'Brien later reported that One Cool Cat's heart seemed fine, and he was unable to understand the disappointing run. On what proved a bad afternoon for O'Brien, Rio De Janeiro was demoted behind Eldorado after edging left towards that rival in the closing stages of the ten furlongs maiden. Jamie Spencer was given a two days suspension for careless riding.
Eldorado was the second leg of a double for Kevin Prendergast and Declan McDonogh, who also teamed up to take the opening two-year-old fillies maiden. The Ballydoyle newcomer Mona Lisa was all the rage (4/6 to 8/15) for this seven furlongs event but she could only keep on one paced into fourth behind the more experienced Cappa Blanca. McDonogh's mount led a furlong out, and stayed on gamely under pressure to deny Faint Heart by three quarters of a length. 'She's getting better, and the galloping track and a little ease suited her. She will probably go for a Listed race next, and she's in the Moyglare,' said Prendergast.
Osterhase completed a hat-trick in the valuable Rockingham Handicap, soon in front from his high draw and tracking over to the stands' side under Fran Berry to beat Jacks Estate by a length and a half. 'That was a great time (58.68 secs) with over ten stone on his back and, if we can keep him sound, I would like to go for the King Stand Stakes and the Nunthorpe at York next year. If he can win those then I'll retire from training!' said John Mulhern.
Harry Rogers has the GPT amateur riders' handicap at the Galway Festival in mind for South West Nine, who led in the centre of the track a furlong out under Mick Kinane to take the two miles handicap. 'She's a big honest mare, and has held her form well. Hopefully she'll get into the GPT after this,' said Rogers.
Leading apprentice Cathy Gannon continued her fine season when partnering Soliza to a neck verdict over High Reef in the ten furlongs handicap, while Kid Creole (Pat Cosgrave) swooped late in the seven furlongs handicap.
Alan Magee
