Now Or Never wins impressively under Kieren Fallon© Photo Healy Racing
Now Or Never put herself firmly in the picture for the Tattersalls Irish 1,000 Guineas with an impressive victory in the Derrinstown Stud 1,000 Guineas Trial at Leopardstown.
The daughter of Bushranger showed a smart turn of foot early in the straight to but the race to bed, and Kieren Fallon could afford to take things easy in the closing stages. Radiantly kept on well but was flattered to get within a length and three quarters of the 13/8 favourite.
There was a gap of six lengths back to Emergent in third.
Fallon said, “She enjoyed the ground today and really accelerated. She felt like a 1,000 Guineas filly and, apart from Russian Rhythm, is as good as any I’ve ridden.”
Winning trainer Michael O’Callaghan said, “She came out of her last run very well. She was pigeonholed as a filly that wants cut but that is proper good ground. She can improve again as she has not come in her coat.
“She doesn’t show as much at home as Blue De Vega so to do that on the track was great. She will go to the Curragh, and on good ground will take her chance. A mile is probably her optimum trip."
He added, “Blue De Vega came out of his race very well. All mine are improving markedly for a run, and he’ll go for the Irish 2,000 Guineas. He’s very well, and I’m very happy with him.”
Paddy Power have introduced Now Or Never at 6/1 for the Tattersalls Irish 1,000 Guineas.
