Red Stars in front where it matters© Photo Healy Racing
Red Stars stayed on stoutly in the closing stages to grab the Listed Anjaal Irish EBF Bluebell Stakes at Naas. Tilly's Chilli made a bold bid from the front and looked to have seen her rivals off chief among which was Red Stars in second.
However, she was all out in the closing stages as Red Stars kept going for Declan McDonogh to get her head in front in the final 50 yards.
The four-year-old filly won at 9/1 by half a length from Tilly's Chilli (20/1). There was a blanket finish for third with Dew Line getting the verdict at 28/1.
Trainer John Oxx said: "She stays well, she's very honest and she goes on that sort of ground. It was similar when she won at Roscommon last year.
“She had a bit of a break during the summer. She came back and was third at Galway, third at Limerick and better again today.
“The plan was to run her here and then the November Handicap before she retires but whether she runs in the November Handicap now I'm not so sure.
“She's done well and we can't complain. We might retire her on that note but I'll see what the owner says. She's a genuine filly and that's what you need today.”
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
