More Ballybrit joy for the Foleys & Gorman Wexford owners Bill and Penny Foley and trainer Jim Gorman are enjoying a week to remember at Galway and they had their second winner following on from Golden Shoe when Cest Notre Gris landed the Irish Stallion Farms European Breeders Fund Nursery Handicap under Declan McDonogh. McDonogh of course also rode Vastonea a winner earlier in the week in the big Topaz Mile. Vastonea and Cest Notre Gris are both by Verglas and throw in 20/1 winner Gris Ladera and it's been a profitable angle to follow progeny of the now deceased Irish National Stud-based stallion at Ballybrit Festival 2012. A victory for Cest Notre Gris didn't look likely as he was struggling down in the dip but he began to hit full stride on the rising ground and he eventually saw off Chips Are Down by all of three and a quarter lengths. Gorman said: "He did it well. He came back to his Leopardstown form. "He ran poor in Gowran but he had a good run against Einsteins Folly in Leopardstown. He came back to that form today. "He stayed on well there but where he goes now depends on the handicapper. "He is obviously improving a bit though maybe that's as good as he is." The Stewards requested a report from Mr J T Gorman, trainer, regarding the apparent improvement in form of Cest Notre Gris, winner, compared with his previous run at Gowran on the 3rd July, when the horse finished fifth of seven. The trainer reported that he was very disappointed after his last run, he had the horse examined and blood tested but nothing had come to light to explain the poor performance. Having considered the evidence the Stewards noted the explanation. (DM & EM)
