Review CURRAGH 1ST JUL

Alexander Goldrun recorded her fifth Group 1 win when taking the Audi Pretty Polly Stakes for the second successive year in the hands of Kevin Manning.

The Jim Bolger-trained mare struck the front well over a furlong out but needed to be kept up to her work to hold the renewed effort of Chelsea Rose by a neck.

'I think she was looking after herself a bit in the last furlong. She doesn't need a lot of work at home and is only asked to do it on the track. She still has a great appetite for racing,' said Bolger.

The Coolcullen trainer is planning a similar campaign to last year saying, 'She will go for the Nassau Stakes, followed by the Irish Champion at Leopardstown. We will then see about France, and another tilt at the Hong Kong Cup.'

The John Oxx-trained Kastoria earned a crack at the Irish Field St Leger when gaining a hard earned victory in the Attheraces sponsored Curragh Cup.

Mick Kinane's mount and chief market rival Collier Hill fought out a terrific battle in the final furlong with the Aga Khan's mare prevailing by a head, with Mkuzi 1 1/2L back in third.

'She just didn't get home in the very testing ground at York last time, and we will aim her now at the Irish St Leger. Mkuzi ran at least as well as when winning this twice before and just met two better,' said Oxx.

Johnny Murtagh dominated the remainder of the card with a dazzling 1,209/1 treble aboard Finicius, Nick's Nikita and Addicted to go ten clear in the jockeys championship.

Finicius provided Slieverue trainer Eoin Griffin with his first juvenile winner when making a successful debut in the six furlong maiden.

The son of Officer, purchased at Keeneland last year for 65,000 dollars, weaved his way through to lead inside the final furlong eventually scoring by a cosy two lengths from Fleeting Shadow.

'He worked well after racing at Leopardstown last week and we were quietly confident. He's very straight forward and may go next for the Listed Tyros Stakes at Leopardstown (July 28),' said Griffin.

Murtagh's other two winners were for his main retained stable of Michael Halford, with Nick's Nikita patiently ridden to lead well inside the final furlong for 1/2L verdict over Senora Galilei in the 10f handicap.

'She really appreciated the step up in trip but the ground was as fast as she would want. She's progressing well and may go for a Listed race here on Oaks weekend,' said Halford.

Murtagh swooped late on Addicted in the concluding mile maiden to pip Peinteir by a length.

Pat Shanahan partnered his first winner since returning from injury ten days ago when Redstone Dancer took the opening Premier Fillies Handicap in fine style.

Shanahan, who had a toe removed due to an ulcer in his foot, sent the Sheena Collins-trained filly to the front over two furlongs out and she quickly settled the issue to beat Sling Back by 4L.

'Pat gave her a great ride and kicked her clear as she was going so well. She wasn't just right at the start of the year, and hopefully we can get her some black type as she was bought for breeding,' said Ms Collins.

Crooked Throw defied topweight under Kieren Fallon in the seven furlong 50-80 rated handicap, produced down the centre of the course to beat dead-heaters Great Hope and Hello Man by 1 1/2L.

'He has loads of pace but is a bit nervous and often tends to be slowly away. He's got loads of pace and is in the Scurry Handicap tomorrow, so we'll sleep on it and see how he is in the morning,' said trainer Charlie Swan.

Alan Magee