Review CURRAGH 8TH AUG

Damson retained her unbeaten record with some style under Kieren Fallon in the featured Group 1 Independent Waterford Wedgwood Phoenix Stakes.

The daughter of Entrepreneur headed Russian Blue just inside the furlong pole and, despite idling in front, kept on well to beat the staying on Oratorio by three-quarters of a length.

Russian Blue finished a half length back in third, with the remaining three runners (Carnegie Hall out with a stone bruise) strung out behind.

'That's a big relief,' was trainer David Wachman's immediate reaction before saying, 'She's so switched off and Kieren said it was only a matter of pressing the button.'

'She's so relaxed in behind but idles as soon as she hits the front. We will think about the Cheveley Park now.'

Cashmans cut her to 12/1 (from 14's) for the Guineas, while Ladbrokes were even more impressed going 8/1 with everything else 25/1 and bigger.

Aidan O'Brien and Jamie Spencer dominated the remainder of the afternoon completing a 64/1 four-timer including a trio of Group race winners, One Cool Cat, Silk And Scarlet and Solskjaer.

One Cool Cat put two very disappointing outings this year behind him when returning to winning ways in the Patrick P O'Leary Memorial Phoenix Sprint Stakes.

The Storm Cat colt was ridden with great confidence, travelling strongly at the rear of the ten-runner field before quickening through to lead well inside the final furlong for a length verdict over The Kiddykid.

John Magnier gave all the credit to O'Brien saying, 'Aidan was the only one in the stable who wanted to run him again' but typically the trainer diverted any praise towards the horse.

'You would not believe how well he works at home. We have a heart monitor on him all the time, and his heart rate goes up and down very quickly.'

'All the sprint races at York (Nunthorpe), Haydock and the Breeders Cup are possibles,' said O'Brien, and Cashmans introduced him at 6/1 for the Nunthorpe.

Spencer also oozed confidence aboard Silk And Scarlet in the Group 2 Robert H Griffin Debutante Stakes, with the 13/8 favourite just pushed out to account for Luas Line by half a length.

'She is a great traveller and could be anything. Hopefully she will come back here for the Moyglare Stud Stakes,' said O'Brien.

Solskjaer earned a crack at the Baileys Irish Champion Stakes when making all in the Group 2 Royal Whip Stakes.

The well-backed 9/4 second favourite just held on by a head from Tropical Lady, who was boxed in on the far rail until squeezing through too late between horses inside the final 100 yards.

'This is an amazingly tough horse as he's twice torn ligaments off a hock. He was something special as a two-year-old until the injury, and tore the same ligaments again the following year in the Guineas.'

'He's getting better with every race, and we'll probably give him a go now at the Irish Champion Stakes,' said O'Brien.

Media Puzzle made a pleasing return following a 21-month spell on the sidlelines since landing the 2002 Melbourne Cup, keeping on well in the straight to finish just over two lengths adrift in fifth.

The O'Brien/Spencer team were also on the mark in the opening juvenile maiden when Chinese Dragon battled gamely inside the final furlong to shrug off the challenge of newcomer Lightwood Lady.

'He was very babyish on his debut, and we will step him up now to a Listed or Group race,' said the Ballydoyle trainer.

Soliza recorded her third course and distance win this year when Pat Shanahan's mount overhauled Newlands North in the closing stages of the ten furlongs handicap to score by a neck.

Kid Creole also repeated a course and distance win of last month when getting up on the line under Pat Cosgrave to deny Vade Retro in the seven furlongs handicap.

Alan Magee