Romantic Proposal impressive in Curragh curtain-raiser

The Listed Dubai Duty Free Dash Stakes at the Curragh went to 11/4 favourite Romantic Proposal under a beautiful Chris Hayes waiting ride in the opener on Derby Day.

Held up in rear, the Clipper Logistics Group-owned Raven’s Pass mare made progress a furlong and a half out.

Closer in fourth a furlong out, Romantic Proposal was soon ridden to challenge, leading in the final hundred and fifty yards, keeping on strongly to beat Teresa Mendoza by a length and a half.

Others to catch the eye with decent finishing efforts were Quarantine Dreams and Smash Williams in third and fifth respectively.

“Ground was obviously the concern. She’s run on this kind of ground but she seems to be more effective with a bit of juice,” reflected Hayes.

“My only concern was would she quicken on the ground but in fairness to her she did.”

Eddie Lynam trains Romantic Proposal and he said: "She’s getting better. We took our time with her and didn’t run her at two, progressed at three and this idiot thought she might be a miler!

“She ran a lovely race first time out over a mile but has just got faster and faster. She was bought by a good judge — my daughter Amy bought her as a foal for 25 grand and she also bought Soffia as a foal so I should isolate instead of going to the sales!

“Clipper (Logistics Group) have always had a horse with me and I’ve had a good bit of luck for them. We don’t have many owners so it’s nice to be able to do something good for them and they have been very patient.

“She was always going well but I thought we were running out of furlongs and then she got there in a heartbeat.

"She’s not ground dependent but if it came up slow she might take her chance in the Sapphire which is back to five. If it didn’t there is plenty of other options.

“I’ve been quite ambitions and she’s the first one that I’ve entered up in a Group 1 for a long time. I think she’s good but the handicapper thinks she’s only 101 and he’s usually right. I think she’s a bit better than that but time will tell.”

R.P. Whelan, rider of Harry's Bar (GB) trained by Adrian McGuinness, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount hung right under pressure.

T.P. Madden, rider of Santosha trained by Mrs John Harrington, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount was short of room for the last furlong.

Una Manning, authorised representative for J. S. Bolger, trainer of Smash Williams, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that their charge was lame behind post race.

(AM & EM)