Review CURRAGH 22ND MAY

Frances Crowley became the first lady trainer of an Irish Classic winner when Saoire under Mick Kinane battled on strongly to win the Boylesports Irish 1,000 Guineas.

Sixth at Newmarket in the English equivalent behind Virginia Waters (11/10 favourite and only 8th here), the 10/1 chance held on by the minimum margin from English raider, Penkenna Princess.

Of course Crowley is also the only woman to have ever won the amateur riders championship a few years back.

Saoire, was bought on behalf of her Galway-owner, Joseph Joyce, by Martin Cullinane for 65,000 as a yearling. She was an unlucky in running second in last years Moyglare Stud Stakes.

Joyce, also owner of Derby-hope Fracas and recent winners Noend and Whoneedswings, may now see his daughter of Pivotal (also sire of Penkenna Princess) contest the Irish Oaks in July.

Crowley, married to top jockey, Pat Smullen, had earlier seen her husband in the number one spot following the other Group 1 event on the programme.

Returning to the scene of his greatest triumph, Grey Swallow, despite proving light in the market, led a furlong and a half out and kept on well to land the Tattersalls Gold Cup.

On the day of his twenty eighth birthday, Smullen tracked the leaders aboard the 13/2 shot, gaining a decisive advantage once hitting the lead, one that he was never going to relinquish.

Uneasy 9/10 favourite, Bago was sending out distress signals some way from home but he did stay on to get within three parts of a length of the winner.

Dermot Weld hailed a brilliant performance from his charge before rushing off to view a re-run of the race after a stewards enquiry had been announced.

That enquiry saw the placings remain unaltered after the fourth home, Azamour had failed to secure a clear passage when delivering his challenge.

A half-brother to the top-class, Grandera, and a 1,150,000 guineas yearling buy, George Washington had made an encouraging start to his career at the beginning of the month at Newmarket.

Long-odds on at 30/100 to get off the mark in the opening maiden, the son of Danehill did so in style, lengthening away after leading inside the final furlong for a 2L victory.

Ballydoyles Scorpion was later backed if defeat were out of the question in the Group 3 Gallinule Stakes. However, despite finishing very strongly, he failed by a short head to Im Spartacus.

Trained by Roscommon native, David Flood in Lambourn, this much-improved gelded-son of Namaqualand was described by his handler as a freak, who is progressing from race to race.

Fresh from picking up his leading National Hunt owner award last night, J P McManus Baggio (5/1 into 3/1fav) justified the market-support in the sprint hcap.

Fran Berry (winner 21 of the campaign, leads by 2), got to the head of affairs over a furlong out on the Charles OBrien-trained gelding and held off the strong-finishing, Toberogan.

A win for the Kevin Prendergast-trained, Declan McDonagh-ridden Best Side in the mile hcap saw a Jackpot pool of 20,726.50 divided among 3 winners, each receiving 5,181.60.