Lady Doris (far side) lands the spoils under Gavin Ryan© Photo Healy Racing
Fresh from his Coronation Cup win at Royal Ascot yesterday, Donnacha O'Brien again tasted success at Down Royal this afternoon, with his Lady Doris getting up in the final strides to land the BoyleSports Irish EBF Ulster Oaks Fillies Handicap.
Beaten just a neck by subsequent Ribblesdale winner Port Fairy at Dundalk in April, the Churchill bay made the breakthrough at Navan on her next start, again filling the runner-up spot when last seen at Fairyhouse.
That most recent effort came over a mile-and-a-half and back in trip to a mile-and-a-quarter today, the three-year-old was sent off the clear favourite at 5/4 (from 5/2 early).
Waited with towards rear under Gavin Ryan, the market leader took closer order on the outer with two furlongs to race and ultimately stayed on best when ridden inside the final 200 yards, getting up in the dying strides to prevail by a short head.
The Paul Traynor-trained Fiver Friday (14/1) was the one just denied, while Hasna and Oriole were both close behind, just a head and a head away in third and fourth respectively.
"She's just one of those, she is never going to win flashy and does the bare minimum," Ryan said.
"She is a filly that seems to have plenty of ability, so it was good to get her head in front again today.
"She was second in her maiden to a Ribblesdale winner and probably a shade unlucky, she got first run on her.
"She was only coming here off 81 with a three-year-old allowance - we knew she was very well in.
"I knew I had everything covered, it was just a case of trying not to get there on my own too soon. We got there too soon the last day in Fairyhouse, it was a long way home and we've got collared late on.
"I think she will have no problem getting a bit of black-type. We knew coming here today she would have a fair chance.
"I imagine after today she will be heading for better races and I think there will be better pace and I think she will be suited by that too as well.
"We didn't (go overly quick) and I'd say two of Natalia's (Lupini) runners had a bit of a plan going out - they had one in front (Alma Libre) and Billy (Lee on Oriole) wasn't far away from the pace. We were doing a gallop to suit him and it very nearly paid off. I was happy enough to follow Billy down through, and my filly has had to put her head down in the last half furlong and she has only done enough."
STEWARDS REPORTS
S.T. McCullagh, rider of Solar Breeze, trained by Daniel McLoughlin, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount ran off the bottom bend.
L.F. Roche, rider of Hasna, trained by D. K. Weld, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount took a false step about four and a half furlongs out.
Additional reporting by Michael Graham
